Written Answers Nos. 108-122
108. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the efforts her Department and the National Council for Special Education are making to find a replacement special education needs organiser for the southern area of County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53418/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recruitment of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) is a matter for the National Council for Special Education.
109. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to appeals by school management in a school (details supplied) with regard to the special needs assistant allocation; if this matter can be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53444/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews.
The Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme is designed to provide schools with additional adult support staff who can assist children with special educational needs who also have additional and significant care needs. Such support is provided in order to facilitate the attendance of those pupils at school and also to minimise disruption to class or teaching time for the pupils concerned, or for their peers, and with a view to developing their independent living skills.
SNAs are not allocated to individual children but to schools as a school based resource. The deployment of SNAs within schools is a matter for the individual Principal/Board of Management of the school. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated.
It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
In light of the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the introduction of the new Frontloaded Allocation Model for SNAs for students in mainstream classes in primary and post -primary schools is to be deferred for a further year to the beginning of the 2022/23 school year.
In order to minimise disruption for schools, in the current circumstances, and to provide for continuity of allocations the following arrangements for the allocation of Special Needs Assistants for mainstream classes for the 2021/22 school year:
- Existing mainstream class SNA allocations in schools on 30 April 2021 will be maintained and will automatically rollover into the 2021/22 school year.
- No school will therefore receive an allocation less than that which they had on 30 April 2021.
- SNAs currently in mainstream settings can continue in post for the next school year in the normal way.
- Priority consideration will now be given by the NCSE to applications for increased support for the 2021/22 school year, in particular, applications from schools with no SNAs and developing schools will be prioritised. Determinations will be made before 30 June. Other applications will be processed in order of date received.
- As in previous years, where circumstances change during the course of the 2021/22 school year that materially increase the level of care need in a school to the extent that the school can clearly demonstrate that it cannot be met within the existing SNA allocation, the school may apply to the NCSE for a review. Detailed information on the NCSE exceptional review process is published on the NCSE website ncse.ie/for-schools
The NCSE have published the SNA allocations on their website www.ncse.ie.
SNA allocations for special classes and special schools are not affected by this arrangement.
Where a school is dissatisfied with how their exceptional review has been processed or is dissatisfied with the outcome of their exceptional review they can appeal. Applications for Appeal may be submitted through the NCSE Schools Portal: ncse.ie/school-support. Guidelines for the appeal are published here: ncse.ie/for-schools.
Circular 0029/2021 has been published and advises schools of the arrangements for the allocation of SNAs for the 2021/22 school year.
Provisions set out in Circular 0030/2020 has been extended for the 2021/22 school year.
Circulars 29/2021 and 30/2020 are available on the Gov.ie website. www.gov.ie/en/circulars/?organisation=department-of-education
My Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations. Accordingly your correspondence has been forwarded to the NCSE for direct reply.
110. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Education the number of children with special needs in receipt of home tuition for the 2021-2022 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53445/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the Home Tuition Grant Scheme is to provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of specific reasons, are unable to attend school.
Home tuition is not an alternative to a school placement and is provided in very limited and specific circumstances. By its nature, it is intended to be a short term intervention.
The figures given in the table below are in respect of children who were in receipt of home tuition for a period of time during the year in question.
Special Educational Needs Home Tuition Scheme
This strand of the Home Tuition Scheme provides funding towards a compensatory educational service for children with special educational needs for whom such a placement is not available. The scheme also provides for early educational intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) ,who meet the scheme’s criteria, aged from 2.5 - 5 years before they start in school.
Children aged 4 years and over, including those with ASD, may enrol in primary placements (including special class and special schools placements). All children must be enrolled in the primary school system, whether through placement in mainstream classes, in special classes or in special schools in the September prior to their sixth birthday.
In such circumstances the NCSE will actively engage at local level with schools, Patron Bodies and the families to ensure that suitable places are provided as soon as possible.
If, following completion of that work, the NCSE has not been able to establish the required school placements it can activate the provisions contained in section 37A of the Education Act 1998 if required.
Medical Home Tuition Scheme
This strand of the Home Tuition Scheme provides funding towards a compensatory educational service for students, enrolled in schools, with significant medical conditions which has caused, and is likely to continue to cause, major disruption to their attendance at school.
In exceptional cases the Department will provide home tuition applications on behalf of students with diagnoses of school phobia and/or associated depression/anxiety which causes major disruption to their attendance at school. This exception will only apply where a continued absence from school is required to facilitate appropriate medical or therapeutic intervention with a view to the re-integration of the student in their school.
No of children in receipt Home Tuition Funding 19/20, 20/21, 21/22 (As of the 28/10/21)
|
2019/20 |
2020/21 |
2021/22 @28/10/2021 |
|
|
Age 2.5yrs – 6yrs (Special Educational Needs) |
731 |
775 |
422 |
|
Age 6yrs+ (Special Educational Needs) |
79 |
86 |
35 |
|
Medical |
277 |
227 |
45 |
|
Mental Health |
365 |
346 |
71 |
I have attached my Departments Circulars 0038/2021 , which sets out the details of the tuition schemes above.
111. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education when the new scheme for compensation of persons historically abused in primary schools became operational; the details of the scheme; the location in which applications can be lodged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53450/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraA revised ex gratia scheme to implement the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) judgement relating to childhood sexual abuse in day schools is now open for applications. The Scheme, which was developed in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, provides for ex gratia payments to be made to those who qualify to apply for the Scheme and who satisfy the criteria as set out in the Terms of Scheme.
The ex gratia scheme was originally established in 2015 and was put in place to provide those, who had instituted legal proceedings against the State in respect of day school sexual abuse and subsequently discontinued those proceedings following rulings in the domestic courts, with an opportunity to apply for an ex gratia payment. The Scheme was paused in 2019 following a report from retired High Court Judge Iarfhlaith O’Neill who, as Independent Assessor, reviewed a number of unsuccessful applications to the Scheme and was of the view that the criteria to qualify for a payment were too restrictive for this group of applicants. The revised scheme opened for applications on July 21st 2021. 33 payments have issued so far.
Full details of the terms of the Scheme are available on www.gov.ie/en/service/90a42-revised-ex-gratia-scheme/. Contact details for my Department for those wishing to apply to the scheme who require any clarification or information are provided.
Ireland is committed to fulfilling its obligations in implementing the ECtHR ruling. This means that the revised scheme is designed first and foremost to provide a remedy to those who had issued and discontinued their proceedings against the State prior to the ECtHR ruling in O'Keeffe v Ireland and who did not receive a payment under the 2015 Scheme. However, the revised scheme goes beyond that group in that all others who issued legal proceedings against the State at a later date and up to 1 July 2021, whether they are still in being, were discontinued at any point, or who had settled with the State, may also apply for an award.
As well as broadening the scope of the Scheme, the type and nature of evidence that will be considered by the State Claims Agency in respect of individual applications (and as set out in the Terms of Scheme) broadens the means through which an applicant can demonstrate that they fall within the terms of the ECtHR judgment.
Overall, €31m has been allocated for the scheme.
112. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education when the NCSE is expected to issue a decision on an application for expression of interest to establishment of an ASD classroom at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53451/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
Next year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing additional teaching and care supports for children with special educational needs.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide.
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.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes.
The NCSE through their network of SENOs (Special Educational Needs Organisers) are currently engaged in a process of establishing new classes for the 2022/2023 school year and beyond. They are looking at local information in relation to projected demand for future special class places.
The local 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 .
113. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the efforts her Department has made to return a school (details supplied) back to the local community; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the local parish council has submitted a request to her Department to obtain or use this closed school for community activities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53452/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe former school referred to by the Deputy is not in my ownership and ultimately it is a matter for the owner of the property to decide how it will be used. My Department has a Charging Lease in place in respect of this property as a means of securing the public funds that were invested by my Department in this school building over the years. My Department have received an application from the owner of the property for my Department to release the charging lease. My Department is in communications with the owners of the property to finalise arrangements. These discussion will involve potential uses of the property including for community and recreational uses.
114. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education the amount that is covered in legal fees for those making an application under the ex-gratia scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53459/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraA revised ex gratia scheme to implement the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) judgement relating to childhood sexual abuse in day schools is now open for applications. The Scheme provides for the payment of €84,000 to applicants and up to €4,000 in legal costs in respect of the application. The amount of legal costs to be paid is agreed between the solicitor and the Scheme Administrator and is intended to cover the costs incurred in making the application.
In addition, there is a provision in the Terms of the Scheme for an independent Costs Accountant to determine legal costs if the parties (solicitor and Scheme Administrator) cannot reach agreement.
115. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education when she will approve the intake numbers into both the bachelor of education and professional master of education for the next academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53530/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are two routes recognised by the Teaching Council to become a primary teacher:
- A four-year undergraduate Bachelor of Education (B. Ed.) programme.
- A two-year post-graduate Professional Master of Education (PME) programme.
The undergraduate/B. Ed. model offers students who are beginning their tertiary education, and wish to pursue a career in teaching, an opportunity to acquire a teaching qualification. In the postgraduate/PME model, a teacher first obtains a qualification in one or more subjects (through an undergraduate degree), and then studies for a further period to gain the professional qualification in teaching.
There are four State-funded Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) providing primary initial teacher education (ITE). Each of these offers both a full time primary ITE undergraduate/B.Ed. and postgraduate/PME programme:
- DCU Institute of Education.
- Marino Institute of Education.
- Maynooth University (Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education)
- Mary Immaculate College.
There is one private provider, Hibernia College, which provides postgraduate (PME) programmes only (primary and post-primary).
The number of students admitted to primary concurrent and consecutive programmes in State-funded HEIs is determined by my Department, having regard to teacher supply and demand issues, and available resources. This process is currently underway within my Department and all the relevant HEIs will be notified upon its completion.
116. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education her views on whether the use of intake limits on public institutions to professional master of education programmes as a policy lever to control teacher supply has led to the de-facto privatisation of approximately 50% of primary teacher training; her plans to return primary teacher training through professional master of education to predominantly public provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53531/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are 5 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) providing primary Initial Teacher Education in Ireland, four State-funded and one private provider.
Each of the State-funded providers has both concurrent (undergraduate) and consecutive (postgraduate) programmes:
- DCU Institute of Education.
- Marino Institute of Education.
- Maynooth University (Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education)
- Mary Immaculate College.
The number of students admitted to primary concurrent and consecutive programmes in State-funded HEIs is determined by my Department, having regard to teacher supply and demand issues, and available resources. The intake has remained broadly stable, over the past number of years.
Hibernia College is a privately owned institution which provides a primary consecutive (postgraduate) ITE programme only. My Department has no involvement in setting the numbers for Hibernia.
The number of graduates per year, across the various institutions, is set out in this table. The Deputy will see that in total, the number of graduates from State-funded providers continues to exceed the number of graduates from the private provider.
Number of Graduates from Primary Initial Teacher Education per year.
*Final Figures for 2020 not yet confirmed.
The Deputy will be aware that considerable work has been taking place, in the Department, with regard to teacher supply and demand. In that context, in November 2019 the Department published a technical report –‘Developing a Teacher Demand and Supply Model for Ireland 2020-2036’. The report was updated in May 2021 with projections of teacher demand and supply to 2038. Ultimately, the intention is to establish a robust data based model for the effective projection of future teacher demand and supply across the school system.
The Department commenced development of a Policy Statement for ITE in 2019, to take stock of significant changes to the policy landscape across the past decade, including the emerging data around teacher supply. Extensive consultations have taken place with stakeholders connected with ITE and the document is due to be finalized in the coming months.
117. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education the plan in place for in-school teaching in relation to children in ASD classes in mainstream schools to ensure that those with additional needs are catered for in the event of a further school closures; if such plans have been agreed to by all of the education partners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53547/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the Government’s plan COVID-19: Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting the rest of our society and economy is now fully reopened as we learn to live with Covid-19. It remains a key objective of the plan for living with COVID-19 that our children and school staff can attend school safely. Further school closures are not envisaged during this phase of the pandemic.
I am aware that the COVID-19 pandemic and associated schools closures have had adverse consequences for many children and their families. The impact on children with special educational needs has been greatest.
For this reason, my Department has prioritised support for this vulnerable group through the provision of additional supports, additional guidance for schools and new and enhanced education programmes.
Pupils with special educational needs were prioritised for an early return to in-school teaching and learning earlier this year.
While school buildings were closed, these students had access to a Supplementary Programme which provided additional one-to-one tuition or care support in their homes up until the end of April.
A significantly expanded Summer Programme was offered during the summer vacation period. This programme put an emphasis on supporting children with special educational needs to re-engage with education, rebuild their confidence and increase motivation, promote their wellbeing and inclusion and to help ensure that they could transition to their planned educational placements in September 2021. A home-based strand was also available to pupils with complex needs where their school was not in a position to run a programme.
Ensuring that schools can operate safely has been a key priority for Government. The Department of Education has an ongoing close working relationship with the Department of Health and the HSE throughout the period of the pandemic in the context of implementing important infection prevention control measures in schools to ensure that they can operate safely. Each school is required to have a COVID-19 Response Plan for the safe operation through the prevention, early detection and control of COVID-19 in line with public health advice. The infection prevention and control measures in place in schools have worked very effectively to prevent and control Covid-19 in schools and remain in place for this school year.
Public health has reviewed the measures put in place to ensure safe operation of schools and is satisfied that these infection prevention and control measures, when implemented correctly and adhered to, will continue to keep the school community safe. The Department will continue to work closely with public health officials and the education stakeholders in respect of the safe operation of schools during Covid-19.
118. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if flexibility is shown in relation to late applications for the remote area grant under any circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53559/21]
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.
All children who are eligible and who 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.
Under the terms of my Department's School Transport Schemes children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 3.2kms at primary and 4.8 kms at post-primary from and are attending their nearest school/education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
An eligible child for whom no transport service is available may, following an application for transport within prescribed time limits, receive a Remote Area Grant towards the cost of private transport arrangements.
119. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if she will consider allowing a late application (details supplied) for the remote area grant to be allowable given the exceptional circumstances in which the applicant is experiencing financial hardship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53560/21]
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.
Under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
An eligible child for whom no transport service is available may, following an application and payment for transport within prescribed time limits, receive a Remote Area Grant towards the cost of private transport arrangements. This grant is also payable for eligible children who may have to travel 3.2 kms or more to or from a designated pick up/set down point.
Bus Éireann has advised that this family applied for transport for the 2020/21 school year on 14th January 2021. This is considered a late application for the 2020/21 school year. The family is eligible for a remote area grant from the commencement of the 2021/22 school year and this will be paid to the family in respect of the 2021/22 school year. For families who are eligible for a remote area grant for the 2021/22 school year the Department will contact families directly regarding the Remote Area Grant by the end of that school year.
120. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education if her Department has adopted the Workplace Relations Commission Code of Conduct on the Right to Disconnect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53811/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe WRC’s Code of Practice provides guidance on best practice to organisations and their employees on the Right to Disconnect. It is not a question of organisations adopting the WRC Code of Practice but a question of working up their own tailored policy. As stated in the Code of Practice, employers should engage proactively with employees and/or their trade union or other employees’ representatives to develop a Right to Disconnect Policy that takes account of the particular needs of the organisation and its workforce.
Discussions are underway among several departments to develop cross-departmental guidance in order to support individual departments to develop their Right to Disconnect policies.
121. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made with her Department and the Minister for Finance to honour a Labour Court recommendation (details supplied) to allow community employment supervisors access an occupational pension scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53461/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors have been seeking for several years, through their union representatives, Siptu and Forsa, the allocation of Exchequer funding to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme for CE supervisors and assistant supervisors who are employed by CE scheme sponsors. This claim creates some difficulties because the State is not the employer of the supervisors.
Within this context, officials from my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform held discussions on proposals to progress and resolve this complex issue, while having regard to the wider budgetary framework. Department officials also held discussions with unions representing CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors.
At the start of April this year, agreement was reached between the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Minister for Social Protection on proposals to resolve the long-standing issue. These proposals included a financial package.
Since that time, discussions on these proposals took place between my Department and the unions representing CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors, in consultation with other relevant Government Departments; the Department of Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Finance.
The most up to date position is that Department officials wrote to both Siptu and Forsa last week setting out the terms of a full and final settlement. The total value of the financial element package now on the table is in excess of €24 million. This is a comprehensive and generous offer which I am confident will bring this long standing matter to a conclusion.
I trust this clarifies the matter at this time.
122. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if she plans to extend the free travel scheme to cover ferry boats (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53472/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators. There are currently approximately 1,010,000 customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2021 is €95 million.
I understand that the free travel pass is accepted on a number of ferry routes that operate from Doolin pier to the Aran Islands.
Any private transport operators can apply to participate in the free travel scheme and can determine which of the route/s they operate to include. However, there is no obligation on them to do so. Neither I as Minister nor the Department can require any operator to participate or include any particular route.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
