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Thursday, 11 Nov 2021

Written Answers Nos. 307-317

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (308)

Michael Collins

Ceist:

308. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some parents of autistic children in sixth class in County Cork who require autism special class places for their secondary schooling have been told by their children's disability network teams that they will not get educational placement recommendations until February 2022 at the earliest (details supplied); the date this will be rectified; if she will ensure that a paperwork issue caused by the creation of the children's network disability teams does not deny children their right to an appropriate education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55248/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am aware of the issue raised by the Deputy.

While I have no remit regarding the Children's Disability Network Teams, which is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive (HSE), my officials are currently liaising with the relevant agencies to consider how the transition process for students impacted can be progressed. 

Ensuring that  every child has an appropriate education placement is a priority for my Department and arrangements are in place for the planning of the necessary provision nationally.  Mt Department works close with the National Council for Special Education in this regard.

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (309)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

309. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education when a person (details supplied) will receive the remainder of a payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55269/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Earlier this year, the Department announced the provision of a significantly expanded summer education programmes for pupils with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage, as a COVID-19 pandemic response measure for summer 2021. 

Teachers and SNAs who were employed in the school based programme were paid on or before 7th October.

As in previous years, a home-based programme was provided for eligible pupils where there was no place on a school programme for them.  The eligibility criteria was widened significantly this year.

A total of 12,129 claims were received of which 9,229 claims will have been paid out by the 11 November.  The remainder will be paid in the next payroll run on 25 November.

Claims are processed and paid when all outstanding queries are fully resolved. 

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna (310)

Alan Dillon

Ceist:

310. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education the status of a new school building (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55347/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

A building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department's school building programme.

My Department is currently developing the accommodation brief for the project which is a necessary part of the architectural planning process for the project. My Department will be in further contact with the school authorities as this process progresses.

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (311)

Colm Burke

Ceist:

311. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education if children in sixth class in County Cork who require ASD class places for their secondary schooling and whose parents were informed by their children's disability network teams that they will not get educational placement recommendations until February 2022 at the earliest, will receive this recommendation before Christmas 2021 due to the importance of an early recommendation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55354/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am aware of the issue raised by the Deputy.

While I have no remit regarding the Children's Disability Network Teams, which is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive (HSE), my officials are currently liaising with the relevant agencies to consider how the transition process for students impacted can be progressed.   

Ensuring that  every child has an appropriate education placement is a priority for my Department and arrangements are in place for the planning of the necessary provision nationally.  Mt Department works close with the National Council for Special Education in this regard.

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna (312)

Michael Collins

Ceist:

312. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Education the status of the planned major renovation and rebuilding works to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55355/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

On the major building project referred to by the Deputy, the Board of Management and it's Design Team were authorised to commence Stage 2b (Detailed Design) on the 26th August 2021.

Stage 2b includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Safety Certification, Disability Access Certification and when these have been secured, the preparation of Tender Documents.

When the above steps have been completed, the Design Team will submit the Stage 2b Report and documentation for review by my Department, and subject to no issues arising in that review, my Department will then contact the Design Team and the School Authorities with regard to the further progression of the project.

School Staff

Ceisteanna (313)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

313. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to overcrowded classes and teacher shortages at a school (details supplied); and her plans to address these problems. [55375/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Teacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment on the previous 30 September. 

The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24(3) of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012). The deployment of teaching staff in the school, the range of subjects offered and ultimately the quality of teaching and learning are in the first instance a matter for the school management authorities.

At post primary level, teachers are currently allocated at a ratio of 19:1 in the free education system and 23:1 to schools in the fee charging sector.   As part of COVID-19 operational supports, 1,000 additional teachers have been allocated to post-primary schools to help reduce class sizes.   A teacher allocation equivalent to a pupil teacher ratio reduction of 0.6 has been allocated to schools in the free scheme.  This allocation supports the important work of teaching and learning and provide additional teachers needed to support teacher substitution, management of physical distancing requirements by reallocating class timetables in schools to smaller groups class sizes where necessary.  In addition, an allocation equivalent to a pupil teacher ratio reduction of 0.1 has been provided in respect of Guidance provision to support student wellbeing.  In the current school year, the school to which the Deputy refers has been allocated an additional 1.86 teaching posts under these measures.  

My Department recognises that there are particular pressures recruiting substitute teachers at the moment due to Covid-19 and a number of arrangements have been put in place to assist with the availability of substitutes for the remainder of the 2021/22 school year.

My Department and the Teaching Council have engaged with higher education institutions (HEIs) to ensure that flexible school placement arrangements are being implemented to enhance the availability of post-primary Professional Master of Education (PME) student teachers to fill short term substitute vacancies

The Teaching Council has also contacted all 111,000 teachers on its register requesting that those not currently working, or those who otherwise have capacity, register their availability with Sub Seeker, the national substitute teacher recruitment portal operated by the Irish Primary Principals’ Network for both primary and post primary schools.

In addition, for 2021/22 the career break scheme permits teachers on career break carry out unlimited substitute work. Changes have also been made to the job sharing scheme to permit job sharing teachers carry out substitute work on the days they are rostered off, including in schools other than those in which they normally teach.

A number of measures have been put in place to increase the supply of teachers of priority subjects at post primary level. Following engagement with the Higher Education Authority (HEA), HEIs have, since 2019, put in place new post primary initial teacher education undergraduate programmes in priority subject areas, including mathematics, modern foreign languages and Irish.  The HEA, on behalf of my Department, also issued a call to HEIs for proposals for programmes to upskill teachers in targeted post-primary subjects (Spanish, mathematics and physics).  Following this call, three upskilling programmes commenced in these subjects in January 2021.  As I announced earlier this year, my Department intends to approve increased places on these programmes for their second intake of teachers in January 2022.

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (314)

Steven Matthews

Ceist:

314. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to delays in the provision of two special educational needs classrooms due to planning complications at a school (details supplied); if this matter can be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55403/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I can confirm to the Deputy that the school referred to has been approved for a project under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme.  This project will provide for a two classroom SEN base and has been devolved for delivery to the school authority. 

My Department approved this project to proceed to planning in June 2021. It is now a matter for the Board of Management to advance the project in that regard.

Site Acquisitions

Ceisteanna (315)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

315. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which her Department has had discussions with the various interests involved in respect of replacement school buildings at a school (details supplied); the extent to which outstanding issues have been resolved with a view to an urgent starting date for the development; if issues relating to traffic management and roads have been fully resolved; when it is expected that the various projects within her Department’s control can start; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55459/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy is aware, My Department have Agreement in Principle with a landowner in respect of the acquisition of a suitable site for the project to which you refer at Donaghcumper, Celbridge.

While a site acquisition process is underway, given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally, I am not in a position to comment further at this time.

Please rest assured that this project is being given priority attention and we are attempting to bring the matter to a close as soon as possible.

Site Acquisitions

Ceisteanna (316)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

316. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which proposals in respect of the replacement of a school (details supplied) and the accommodation of the proposed schools at a campus; if the project has progressed satisfactorily since early July 2021; the precise stage at which each of the projects now rest; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55460/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department has reached agreement in principle with the relevant landowner for the acquisition of the site to accommodate the campus development.

It is intended that this site will faciliate the construction of three schools, including the school to which the Deputy refers. In tandem with the site acquisition, my Department is finalising the accommodation briefs for the three schools. This will facilitate the commencement of the architectural planning process for the project and my Department will liaise with the school authorities at that stage.

Disability Services

Ceisteanna (317)

Pauline Tully

Ceist:

317. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection the target month and year she is working to for the publication of the cost of disability research; the reason the report has not yet been published; the actions she has taken on foot of the report since she received it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55256/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Programme for Government commits the Government to use this research into the cost of disability to individuals and families to properly inform the direction of future policy. My Department commissioned Indecon International Consultants to carry out research into the cost of disability in Ireland.

This matter is significantly wider than the income support system which is why a whole-of-Government perspective is being taken. There is not a single typical ‘cost of disability’, rather there is a spectrum from low additional costs to extremely high extra costs of disability, depending on the individual circumstances of the person with a disability. Additional costs of disability go across a number of areas of expenditure including housing; equipment, aids and appliances; mobility, transport and communications; medicines; care and assistance services and additional living expenses.

The report has been received and my Department is considering it in detail. As part of this consideration, the Department has been briefing and seeking the views of relevant Government departments which have a role to play in the delivery of disability services and supports.

This process is now complete and I intend to submit the report to Government for consideration shortly. A decision regarding the appropriate date of publication will be made once Government has had an opportunity to consider the report fully.

The supports and services for people with a disability are continually reviewed by my Department. As part of Budget 2022, I announced a number of improvements, including specific changes to Disability Allowance and the Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS), as follows:

- €5 increase in the maximum weekly rate of Disability Allowance, with proportionate increases for people receiving a reduced rate.

- An increase in the earnings threshold above which means is fully assessed by €25 from €350 to €375 per week, for Disability Allowance (and Blind Pension), effective from June 2022.

- An increase in the general weekly means disregard entry point for Disability Allowance from €2.50 to €7.60. Increasing this to €7.60 will bring the  weekly means disregard for Disability Allowance in line with Blind Pension, One Parent Family and Carer’s Allowance. The effect of this measure will be to increase the weekly rate of payment by up to €5 per week for Disability Allowance recipients who have means.

-The Wage Subsidy Scheme base subsidy paid to employers who employ people with a disability will increase from €5.30 to €6.30 per hour from January 2022.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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