Written Answers Nos. 505-522
505. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education if she plans to extend the contracts of public bus drivers who are deemed medically fit but who reach the age of 70 given the current shortage of qualified bus drivers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52402/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2020/2021 school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
It is Bus Éireann company policy that normal retirement age for all Bus Éireann staff is currently 66 years. However Bus Éireann part-time School Bus Drivers and drivers nominated by private operators who operate service as part of the School Transport Scheme may continue to perform in the role provided they hold the requisite licence and satisfy an annual medical examination until they retire at age 70.
This policy and criteria is applied to all drivers who provide school transport services on behalf of Bus Éireann equally.
507. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Education if she will make it mandatory for all primary school to use dyslexia friendly workbooks for primary school dyslexic children, as without the use of these workbooks, the way in which schools will provide appropriate education for all pupils if schools are not ensuring there is a variety of learning materials available for diverse learners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52467/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn general, the Department of Education does not have a role in approving, commissioning, sponsoring or endorsing any content in any educational textbook or workbook. The current policy within the Department of Education is not to endorse any particular product or publication, including textbooks and workbooks.
Apart from a small number of prescribed texts at post-primary, determined by the NCCA, the decisions on which textbooks and workbooks to use in primary and post-primary schools are taken at school level.
For the most part, textbooks and workbooks are commissioned and published by educational publishers, and schools select their books and workbooks from those available from a number of publishers. The Irish Educational Publishers Association (IEPA) meet with the NCCA in order to discuss the curriculum and to be made aware of any requirements in the curriculum. However the content of any individual textbook and workbook is determined by the publisher themselves, and therefore any queries regarding specific content in any particular textbook and workbook should be directed to the publisher.
The only requirement from the Department, on any resource used in a school, is that it covers the curriculum. Ultimately, the decision on which textbook and workbook, if any, most appropriately supports the curriculum, rests within the school itself.
There are no plans to make any particular kind of learning resource or work book compulsory for schools.
There is guidance and opportunities for professional development available from the National Council for Special Education which may be helpful for schools in deciding on the appropriate levels of additional education support for pupils.
508. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if she will address a matter in relation to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52477/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra533. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education if she will approve the retention of a mainstream teacher in a school (details supplied). [52736/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra536. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if she will address a matter regarding the teacher allocation to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52784/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 508, 533 and 536 together.
The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30th September. The staffing process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board, including a specific measure aimed at small schools.
The school referred to by the Deputy was allocated a temporary teaching post on appeal, pending confirmation of enrolments on 30th September. As the school's confirmed enrolment did not meet the required threshold, the post has been suppressed.
The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner.
509. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education when a decision will be made in the review case submitted by a school (details supplied) in respect of school transport under the primary school transport scheme submitted in October 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52499/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2020/2021 school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, were 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 have completed the application and payment process on time for the 2021/22 school year are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation. In addition all post-primary pupils who are otherwise eligible for school transport but are attending their second nearest school and who have applied and paid on time are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation. This latter arrangement is in place for current school year pending completion of the full review of the School Transport Scheme.
My Department commenced a review of the School Transport Scheme in February 2021. The review is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness and sustainability, and to ensure that it serves students and their families adequately. The review encompasses the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs and the Primary and Post-Primary School Transport Schemes in terms of how each element of the schemes currently operate, to include eligibility criteria, trends, costs and cost drivers, and overall effectiveness in meeting the objectives of the schemes.
In June 2021, as part of phase 1 of the review, the Steering Group presented me with an initial interim 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 approved measures which allowed for the provision of transport for post-primary students who are otherwise eligible for school transport but are attending their second nearest school and had applied and paid on time.
Wider considerations relating to operation of the scheme are now taking place in the next phase of the review which is now underway. The Steering Group will continue to report to me on an interim basis as the review progresses, with a view to presenting a final report with recommendations on the future operation of the Department’s School Transport Scheme.
510. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the plans she has to review the rates awarded for assistive technology in view of the departmental cap on funding for laptops; if consideration is given to the need to ensure funding is given for laptops that support the possible future software needs of students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52502/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Assistive Technology scheme, as set out in my Department’s Circular 0010/2013, funding is provided to schools towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment, which are required for educational purposes. Equipment is provided under this scheme for children with more complex disabilities who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential specialist equipment which they do not already have, or which cannot be provided for them through the school’s existing IT provision.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of Special Education Needs Officers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for assistive technology support.
Schools make applications directly to the SENO, providing details of the student’s special educational needs or disability, including details of the approach taken by the school in making relevant interventions. Professional reports (from psychologists or occupational therapists, for example) must be submitted by the school along with the application. These reports must have a recent and comprehensive professional assessment of the nature and extent of disability, and outline that the equipment is essential for the pupil to access the curriculum.
Equipment may only be provided where medical and/or other professional reports outline that the degree of communicative disability is such that this equipment is essential to allow the pupil to access education and set out how the equipment will provide for this.
The type of equipment provided under the assistive technology scheme is varied, and includes audiological supports for students with hearing impairment, braille equipment for children with visual impairment, and computer equipment with associated modified software for students with physical or severe communicative disabilities.
Communication devices or medical or therapy related devices which are not specific educational interventions, or equipment specifically required as essential for school educational access, that have a general application outside of school, which are normally provided for children with disabilities by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and which are provided for through the HSE Aids and Appliances scheme are not provided for under this scheme.
SENOs review the application and professional reports, in order to establish whether the criteria of the scheme have been met. A recommendation is then made to my Department as to whether or not assistive technology is required; and based on this recommendation, my Department decides on the level of grant, if any, to be provided.
In the majority of applications €550.00 is the maximum amount of grant payable by my Department for a Laptop as this level of grant aid is sufficient for most assistive technology educational software in Primary and Post Primary schools. However in exceptional cases my officials can grant in excess of this amount. Such cases can arise when a pupil may need high level visual aids such as magnifying reading devices and braille equipment, or a pupil may have a high level of need with mobility.
It is open to parents to contact SENOs directly to discuss their child’s special educational needs, using the contact details available at: www.ncse.ie/seno-contact-list
It is anticipated that work in relation to reviewing the assistive technology scheme will commence in 2022.
511. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Education if he will address a query on school transport (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52513/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2020/2021 school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, were 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 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 general, children with special educational needs are eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest school that is resourced to meet their special educational needs. Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).
The child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for transport and a new service was sanctioned to cater for the child. The existing service to a nearby school was not suitable due to time constraints.
Bus Éireann has confirmed the pupil began on the new service Monday 18th October 2021.
512. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education if she will conduct a joint working group or team to investigate and resolve a complex case of a child (details supplied) who has been de facto excluded from school with no access to home schooling and who has been refused a section 29 appeal apparently as a result of a conflict between recommendations, processes and procedures of different medical, educational and disability services provided by the State; if she can identify a mechanism of appeal, arbitration and resolution for such complex cases in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52518/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is aware of this case. My officials understand that there are conflicting medical recommendations in relation to the type of equipment to be used in the school to support the child’s attendance there.
The local SENO is working with the School and the family and other services to resolve the matter and ensure that this child can access his educational placement. It is my Department’s understanding a meeting took place between relevant professionals and agencies last week to work through the issues and progress has been made.
In view of the exceptional circumstances of this case, my Department has approved Home Tuition funding for a limited period pending the resolution of the issues involved.
In relation to the section 29 appeal application received by the Department, my officials have been advised that the pupil had not been suspended from the school and remains welcome to attend. On that basis, as no suspension has taken place, an appeal under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 does not apply. The parent was informed that the section 29 appeal was not admitted on the basis that no suspension is in place.
My officials will continue to work with the relevant agencies to support a return to school for this child as a matter of priority.
513. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the steps her Department has taken to reform the leaving certificate with a view to reducing the stress caused to children highlighted by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in the list of issues prior to submission of the combined fifth and sixth reports of Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52580/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy may be aware that between 2016 and 2020, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) undertook an extensive review of senior cycle programmes and vocational pathways, to include Transition Year, the Leaving Certificate Applied, Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme and the Leaving Certificate Established.
The review involved a very broad range of research, consultations and communications with a wide range of stakeholders, on all aspects of review and redevelopment over a number of phases over the period of the review. The NCCA also commissioned external expertise to support the process, including the ESRI and the OECD.
The Advisory Report maps out, in broad terms, an ambitious programme of work, which would enable the development and construction of the components that would make up a Framework for Senior Cycle and will involve further ongoing stakeholder engagement and consultation.
The NCCA’s Senior Cycle Review: Advisory Report has been submitted to my Department for consideration and will be published once that consideration process is complete.
My Dr4epartment is also aware of the significant impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on our education system over the past two years, including its impact on students who were due to take their Leaving Certificate examinations in those years. The systems of Leaving Certificate Calculated Grades and SEC-Accredited Grades which operated for Leaving Certificate 2020 and 2021 respectively were introduced to assist candidates in those years to progress on their journey to further or higher education, to apprenticeships or to the world of work. I expect that the lessons to be learnt from the pandemic will be considered and where appropriate, will assist in informing the redevelopment of Senior Cycle.
514. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the number of appeals submitted to the primary staffing appeals board for April, June and October meetings in 2021; the number of appeals which were refused; and the number which were successful from each meeting. [52582/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30th September. The staffing process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board.
The Appeals Board considered staffing appeals from 178 schools in respect of the 2021/22 school year. Of these, 40 were upheld and 69 were provisionally upheld pending confirmation of enrolments on 30th September 2021. Of the 69 provisionally upheld, 60 schools achieved the required enrolment to retain the post for the remainder of the year while 9 schools did not. 47 appeals did not meet the published appeal criteria and so were deemed ineligible, while 22 appeals were refused as the Appeals Board did not consider that a departure from the staffing schedule was warranted.
515. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the number of HSA inspections carried out specifically in relation to Covid-19 in primary and post-primary schools over the academic year 2020-2021 and to date in the current academic year. [52583/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has agreed a Memo of Understanding with the Health and Safety Authority that reflects our shared objective of ensuring that the Return to Work Safety Protocol for addressing COVID-19 in the workplace is being implemented.
In relation to school inspections, my Department’s Inspectorate lead on inspection visits to schools for the purposes of working with and advising schools in implementing the Return to Work Safety Protocol for addressing COVID-19 in the workplace and public health advice. The objectives of the inspection visits in this context are to support school leaders and boards of management as they implement the COVID-19 Response Plan for the safe and sustainable operation of Primary Schools, Special Schools and Post-Primary Schools. The visits also provide an assurance that the COVID-19 Response Plan for the safe and sustainable operation of Primary Schools, Special Schools and Post-Primary Schools is being implemented by school authorities.
There has been 431 safe provision of schooling inspection visits to primary schools in 2020, and 895 visits in 2021 to date. There has been 309 safe provision of schooling inspection visits to post-primary schools in 2020, and 298 visits in 2021 to date.
516. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the number of children who have not returned to school since the Covid-19 pandemic began and are early school leavers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52585/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of early school leavers is calculated officially in the Department of Education retention report published annually. The next retention report for the 2014 entry cohort (i.e. those pupils who commenced post primary education in 2014) will be published in due course.
Where schools have a concern about a child’s attendance they are required to make a referral to TESS Education Welfare Service (EWS) in line with the provisions of the Education (Welfare) Act. Since the beginning of this Covid-19 pandemic, Tusla Education Support Services (TESS) have adopted a welfare approach in relation to school attendance and Educational Welfare Officers (EWO) have continued to advise and assist Parent(s)/Guardian(s) in relation to any school attendance issues being experienced by their children following the receipt of a referral by the service.
517. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if budget 2022 will result in an increase in the number of education welfare officers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52586/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy aim for Budget 2022 is to continue to deliver on the commitments set out in the Programme for Government, to meet demographic and other pressures in the school sector and to support and sustain our schools, their staff and our students in the face of the ongoing significant challenges posed by COVID-19.
Over recent budgets, additional resources have been made available to our schools, including through the delivery of thousands of extra teaching and Special Needs Assistant posts, increased capitation in schools, enhanced supports for school leadership and an improved staffing schedule in primary schools. This is in addition to the significant COVID-19 financial resources provided to allow schools to operate in accordance with the latest public health guidance.
A summary of the Department of Education's funding allocation for 2022 is set out in Chapter 5 (pages 71 to 74) of the 2022 Expenditure Report that was published on 12 October 2021 as part of 2022 Budget day documentation. This sets out the main areas identified for funding in 2022. The full details on the 2022 allocations for each Departmental Vote will be set out, as usual, in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV) which is due to be published in December 2021.
518. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the status of the provision of alternative education for early school leavers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52587/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, education is compulsory for children in Ireland from the ages of six to sixteen or until students have completed three years of post-primary education. Key considerations for my Department in this matter is our policy of inclusion.
However, while my Department primarily supports mainstream schools, it does provide funding for a small number of schools and centres which provide education for the small number of young people below the age of 16 who do not complete mainstream education. These out-of-school services are typically a provision of education, outside of the mainstream school setting, for children who have disengaged or encountered difficulties in mainstream education. This provision is an alternative option when all other supports, options and pathways have been tried and have not proved successful in maintaining the student’s engagement with mainstream education.
These settings vary in structure and design but provide an important service for a small cohort of students who have become disengaged from mainstream education. Examples of such are the Youth Encounter Project Schools and some alternative education settings. My Department has undertaken a review of education provision in the out-of-school sector. The recommendations of this review will inform future policy in this area.
For those learners who leave school at the age of 16 or above, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science fund a range of services. Youthreach provides a programme of second-chance education and training designed for early school leavers. The aim of the programme is to help young people in the 16 - 21 year old age group to make the transition from school to work through the provision of co-ordinated foundation training, education and work experience. The programme includes a considerable amount of personal development and exploration, where participants’ needs, interests and capacities are fully taken into account and has a strong emphasis on the core skills of literacy/numeracy, communications and IT, along with a choice of vocational options and a work experience programme. There are almost 6,000 places available under Youthreach each year, the majority of these places are operated locally by 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) in 110 centres. Places are also provided through 32 Community Training Centres, and look after the training and employment needs of early school leavers, primarily aged between 16 and 21.
Also, apprenticeships provide a structured training programme and allow early school leavers to gain the skills and knowledge to succeed. There are currently 62 apprenticeships available leading to qualifications from levels 5 to 10 on the National Qualifications Framework. The basic entry requirement for apprenticeship is a junior cycle qualification. For those school leavers who do not meet basic educational requirements, there are a range of options available through pre-apprenticeship courses or recognition of prior experience which may provide alternate entry routes to an apprenticeship. Pre-apprenticeships are programmes targeted at young people aged 16-24, where the aim is progression to an apprenticeship. In addition, the Technological University Dublin Access to Apprenticeship programme is a 12 week programme which aims to support individuals aged 16-24 who have experienced particularly severe social or economic barriers to access craft apprenticeship roles.
The Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 sets out a five year plan which will make apprenticeship visible and available for all learners. The Plan addresses the clear need to broaden the awareness of apprenticeship as a work-based route to internationally recognised qualifications and experience for people of all ages, be they progressing in their career, school leavers, career changers or the unemployed. Under the Plan the impacts and outcomes will be examined to provide an evidence base for best practice and future interventions.
519. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the number of portacabins per school in County Wicklow over the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52588/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTemporary accommodation in schools is comprised of both rented and purchased prefabricated units. While the Department is aware that some schools are operating some classes in purchased prefabs around the country particularly in the context of the Covid19 related measures (funded by my Department and/or by the school authority), accurate information in respect of purchased prefabs is not readily available across the entire school estate and, therefore, my Department is not in a position to provide the details requested by the Deputy.
As the Deputy will appreciate, within the context of a rapidly increasing school population, my Department's priority is to ensure that every child has access to a physical school place. In this regard, it is sometimes necessary to make use of temporary accommodation in order to meet the accommodation needs of schools.
Temporary accommodation may also be required when an immediate or short term need arises. For example, a school may require a temporary building in circumstances where a major school construction project is planned. Such temporary accommodation is removed when the major project concerned is completed. The length of time it is necessary to make use of temporary rented accommodation will vary from project to project.
My Department is taking an integrated approach with the Prefab Replacement Programme through the replacement of prefabricated units as part of large-scale and devolved projects and as part of new projects approved under the Additional School Accommodation scheme.
520. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if the 50% school transport capacity will continue until Christmas 2021; if sufficient notice of the return to 100% capacity will be provided to school transport operators; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52599/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2020/21 school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.
Planning for school transport scheme services for the 2021/22 school year proceeded on the basis that the public health measures in place as schools closed at the end of the last school year would remain as the term began in this new school year. This included the operation of post-primary services at 50% capacity, in addition to hygiene measures and the wearing of masks on-board. The Department has kept this position under review as the vaccination programme for children on post-primary services was rolled out and as the lifting of restrictions on public transport services proceeded.
In line with the lifting of restrictions on public transport, and with effect from the return of schools following the October mid-term break, implementation will commence for post-primary school transport services to resume operating at 100% capacity. This process will take a period of time to re-organise and re-schedule services and communications will be issued to families regarding any revised arrangements.
With regard to post-primary special needs transport services, the Department will work with schools on a case by case basis where such services may be required to continue operating at 50% capacity.
Any pupil who has been issued a ticket for this school year will retain their ticket for the year. Where additional vehicles that were provided for social distancing purposes are removed and when all services resume operating at 100% capacity, any spare capacity available will be offered on those services to concessionary pupils or late applicants where such capacity exists.
All other measures relating to hygiene, pre-assigned seating, cleaning and the wearing of masks by post-primary students will remain in place subject to further review.
521. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if the case of a person (details supplied) will be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52603/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the criteria for the awarding of incremental credit to registered teachers at second level schools, is set out in my Departments Circulars 0029/2007 and 0029/2010.
The Circulars note the particular conditions which apply to the awarding of incremental credit for persons who may have been teaching, for a period, in less than whole time contracts, such as fixed term contracts, or casual and non-casual teaching service, including substitution work.
Persons working in such positions are required to fulfill certain conditions, including in relation to the number of hours worked per year, in order to qualify for full incremental credit.
A member of staff from the Post Primary Payroll Section of my Department has been in contact with the teacher concerned, in order to review past service, and advise him of the position in relation to this matter.
522. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the status of an emergency works application by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52621/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to inform the Deputy that the school in question applied for funding under my Departments Emergency Works Scheme for Category 2 (Life Safety Systems). This application was approved on the 7th of October and as it is a devolved project it is the responsibility of the school authority to progress the works.
