Written Answers Nos. 520-544
520. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education the progress in the development of a school (details supplied); when she expects that the new building will be complete; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14586/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA project for the school in question under Project Ireland 2040 has been devolved for delivery to Louth County Council.
The project has experienced some issues with its progression, including design issues, and in particular issues with respect to the addition of a 4-class Special Educational Needs Base to the project. However, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that these issues have now been addressed and the project is currently proceeding through the final stages of the tender process. In that respect, a tender report is expected to be received in the Department shortly.
A Departmental review of the tender report will then take place and, subject to this review and whether any issues arise in that respect, construction can be expected to commence on site shortly thereafter. Providing no other significant issues arise, the Department currently expects that construction could commence in Q2 2022.
521. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education the objective evidential basis for the reason that certain schools (details supplied) were not elevated to DEIS band 1 status from DEIS band 2 in the context of the recent decisions she has made in this policy area; if she will provide all of the objective criteria including information on the metrics, precise data sets and scoring matrix her officials used to determine a school’s qualification for DEIS band 1 status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14590/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI announced on 9 March, 2022 the expansion of the DEIS programme benefitting 347 schools. These schools were identified as having the highest levels of educational disadvantage. In the 2022/23 academic year there will be 1,194 schools in the DEIS Programme - 960 Primary and 234 Post Primary. This will also mean a €32million increase in my Department's expenditure on DEIS programme from 2023. This is the largest ever single investment in the programme and will extend DEIS status to schools serving the highest proportions of pupils at risk of educational disadvantage.
This announcement follows an extensive body of work by the DEIS technical group to develop the refined DEIS identification model to identify the concentrated levels of disadvantage of schools. Schools were identified for inclusion in the programme through the refined DEIS identification model which is an objective, statistics based model which uses information from the Department of Education enrolment databases and the Pobal HP Deprivation index. The DEIS identification model now takes into consideration the significant educational disadvantage experienced by Traveller and Roma learners and by students residing in direct provision or emergency homeless accommodation. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme and the model has been applied fairly and equally to all schools.
Schools that have not had their DEIS band reclassified at this time will have an opportunity to have that decision reviewed. My Department will provide further information in the coming days on this appeals process on my Department’s website.
My Department is aware of the needs of the schools referred to by the Deputy. My officials met last year with the school principals of the three primary schools. My Department recently confirmed to the schools its continued commitment to supporting them.
522. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education the progress in the development of the new primary school (details supplied); when she expects the new building to be complete; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14591/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA project for the school in question under Project Ireland 2040 has been devolved for delivery to Louth County Council.
The project has experienced some issues with its progression, including design issues, and in particular issues with respect to the addition of a 4-class Special Educational Needs Base to the project. However, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that these issues have now been addressed and the project is currently proceeding through the final stages of the tender process. In that respect, a tender report is expected to be received in the Department shortly.
A Departmental review of the tender report will then take place and, subject to this review and whether any issues arise in that respect, construction can be expected to commence on site shortly thereafter. Providing no other significant issues arise, the Department currently expects that construction could commence in Q2 2022.
523. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education the way that a school can appeal the decision not to be included in the expansion of the DEIS programme which her Department announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14602/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI announced on 9 March, 2022 the expansion of the DEIS programme benefitting 347 schools. These schools were identified as having the highest levels of educational disadvantage. In the 2022/23 academic year there will be 1,194 schools in the DEIS Programme - 960 Primary and 234 Post Primary. This will also mean a €32million increase in my Department's expenditure on DEIS programme from 2023. This is the largest ever single investment in the programme and will extend DEIS status to schools serving the highest proportions of pupils at risk of educational disadvantage.
This announcement follows an extensive body of work by the DEIS technical group to develop the refined DEIS identification model to identify the concentrated levels of disadvantage of schools. Schools were identified for inclusion in the programme through the refined DEIS identification model which is an objective, statistics based model which uses information from the Department of Education enrolment databases and the Pobal HP Deprivation index. The DEIS identification model now takes into consideration the significant educational disadvantage experienced by Traveller and Roma learners and by students residing in direct provision or emergency homeless accommodation. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme and the model has been applied fairly and equally to all schools.
Schools that have not been included in the DEIS programme at this time will have an opportunity to have that decision reviewed. My Department will provide further information in the coming days on this appeals process on my Department’s website.
524. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education the options that are available for the family of a child (details supplied) who has not been able to secure a place for the 2022-23 term in the ASD unit of the school in which the child currently attends early intervention or in any other school in the locality despite the child's recent assessment outlining that the child needs to attend an ASD unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14603/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
This year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing a wide range of schemes and supports for children with special educational needs. This includes additional teaching and care supports.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with additional needs nationwide. The NCSE, through the local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO), is available to support both families and schools regarding a suitable placement.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department is working in close collaboration with the NCSE to ensure that the necessary provision is put in place on a timely basis throughout the country.
As the query refers to an individual placement case, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
525. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education when funding will be approved for the renovation and improvements to the buildings at a school (details supplied); when the funding will be released; and when it is anticipated the building work will commence. [14612/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that the school to which he refers has been approved for a project under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme 2022. This project was approved in January 2022 and will provide the following accommodation at the school: One Multi-Media Room, one Graphics room, one Textile room, one Project Store, one Science Laboratory with one Preparation Area, one Construction room and one Technology Prep Room.
I can advise the Deputy that this project has been devolved for delivery to Cork ETB and it is now a matter for the ETB to advance the project in that regard. I can assure the Deputy that funding for the project is in place and will be released at the appropriate times as set out within the terms and conditions of the Additional Accommodation Scheme as notified to the ETB.
While at this early stage it is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of the project, CETB will be engaging directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress in that respect.
526. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if supports are currently being considered to assist Ukrainian children fleeing the crisis to gain access to the school transport system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14617/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, in consultation with Bus Éireann, is putting in place a new process to facilitate the provision of School Transport Scheme Services for children arriving to Ireland from Ukraine.
When set up, there will be link to a form (which will also be available in Ukrainian and Russian) for families/host families to complete in order to apply for school transport. This form will be available on Gov.ie and further information will be circulated shortly.
Children will be accommodated quickly on existing services where there is capacity. Children will not be charged for their ticket and normal eligibility criteria will be waived. If there is no service or capacity, a remote area grant can be offered to the family as appropriate.
Further details will issue shortly in regard to this process. In the meantime, the Department is dealing with requests on a case by case basis. Queries/requests should be addressed to School Transport at transportapplications@education.gov.ie or by phone during office hours to 057 9325467.
527. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education the number of school places in schools in north county Dublin and Fingal for children starting secondary school in 2022. [14623/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 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, to identify where increasing school place requirements and associated accommodation needs will arise.
However, it is important to note that where local enrolment pressures emerge, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
- Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area
- School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area
- Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupil
- External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area.
My Department is working with relevant school authorities to establish the extent of enrolment pressures through ongoing discussions with the relevant school authorities. In that context, similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies, including those of schools in North Dublin, to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming years which may necessitate further action to that already in train.
Where it is determined that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, be provided through:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools, or
- Provision of a new school or schools.
Under Project Ireland 2040, my Department continues to make progress to increase the infrastructural capacity in the schools sector, in order to meet demographic and other demands. The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. It is expected that the enrolment pressures in North Dublin, and in other areas will reduce in the short-term as such planned additional capacity comes on stream and as demographic demand moves past its peak. In terms of projects, there has been significant investment under the Major Capital Programme in the north Dublin area in recent years. Bremore Educate Together, Balbriggan has a new school building for 1,000 pupils completed in 2018. Coláiste Glor na Mara, also in Balbriggan was completed in 2019 and also has accommodation for 1,000 pupils. In addition there are 13 other major projects at post primary level in the north Dublin area, including at Belmayne, Malahide, Portmarnock, Swords, Dublin 15 and Rush which are at various stages of the design and build process, and will greatly contribute to the supply of school places in the area.
Additionally, the Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, including accommodation for pupils with special educational needs, if required, for schools where an additional enrolment need has been identified.
Included among additional accommodation projects are Dominican College, Drumcondra, Coláiste Dhúlaigh, Coolock and Santa Sabina Dominican College, Sutton. Clonturk Community College has been approved a significant amount of modular accommodation to cater for their needs. St. Aidan’s, Whitehall has also been approved for a significant project, which has been devolved to the school authorities for delivery. My Department is also engaging with school authorities at Castleknock Community College and Luttrelstown Community College in order to consider their accommodation needs.
528. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education if the school transport grant for parents of children with additional needs will be increased in line with increases in fuel costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14625/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra549. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education the last time the rates paid to parents who must transport their loved ones to their nearest ASD class were reviewed; if she plans to carry out a review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14873/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 528 and 549 together.
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 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 €289m in 2021.
The purpose of my 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. A Special Transport Grant towards the cost of private transport arrangements may be provided to families of eligible children in certain situations such as where Bus Éireann is not in a position to provide a transport service or where a child's age, behavioural difficulties or medical needs are such as to make the provision of a transport service impracticable;
The reduction in excise on fuel which has been agreed by Government will result in a decrease in the cost of fuel. The reduction of 20 cent per litre on petrol and 15 cent per litre on diesel will be in place until 31 August 2022 at an estimated cost of €320m. This is a national measure aimed at easing the financial burden on contractors and families at this time.
As you may be aware 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.
Wider considerations relating to operation of the scheme are taking place in the current 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.
529. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education if she has considered adding a school (details supplied) to her Department’s recently expanded DEIS programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14632/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI announced on 9 March, 2022 the expansion of the DEIS programme benefitting 347 schools. These schools were identified as having the highest levels of educational disadvantage. In the 2022/23 academic year there will be 1,194 schools in the DEIS Programme - 960 Primary and 234 Post Primary. This will also mean a €32million increase in my Department's expenditure on DEIS programme from 2023. This is the largest ever single investment in the programme and will extend DEIS status to schools serving the highest proportions of pupils at risk of educational disadvantage.
This announcement follows an extensive body of work by the DEIS technical group to develop the refined DEIS identification model to identify the concentrated levels of disadvantage of schools. Schools were identified for inclusion in the programme through the refined DEIS identification model which is an objective, statistics based model which uses information from the Department of Education enrolment databases and the Pobal HP Deprivation index. The DEIS identification model now takes into consideration the significant educational disadvantage experienced by Traveller and Roma learners and by students residing in direct provision or emergency homeless accommodation. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme and the model has been applied fairly and equally to all schools.
Schools that have not been included in the DEIS programme at this time will have an opportunity to have that decision reviewed. My Department will provide further information in the coming days on this appeals process on my Department’s website.
530. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Education the programme of works that is in place to establish new schools; the project plans for each school; the way her Department monitors progress against these plans; if stakeholders are kept regularly updated of progress, delays and risks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14648/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Project Ireland 2040, the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025. This significant investment allows us to move forward with certainty on our ambitious plans and deliver high quality building projects, with a real focus on sustainability, for school communities across Ireland. This investment will build on the good progress being made on adding capacity to cater for demographic changes and provision for children with special educational needs. This investment will also facilitate an increased focus on the modernisation of existing school stock and help transition the school system for an era of net zero carbon by 2050.
The key drivers of capital investment in the schools sector are as follows:
- demographic change,
- alignment with housing provision and national planning at school planning area level,
- construction costs,
- climate action objectives including deep energy retrofit.
In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
Major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter demand in that area. In that regard, as part of the demographic exercises, my Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain the up-to-date information on significant new residential development in each area. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, be provided through:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
- Provision of a new school or schools.
In addition to ongoing demographic analyses, my Department continues to liaise with Local Authorities in respect of potential longer-term requirements for educational provision across the country, through the review of the County Development Plans, preparation of Local Area Plans and other relevant statutory planning processes.
During the period 2018 to 2021 691 school building projects were completed. These projects delivered in excess of 64,000 school places. Since 2018, 47 new schools have been announced.
My Department is aware of the challenges of Covid and the challenging market conditions currently underway and is working proactively to ensure that all school building contracts are awarded as expeditiously as possible, while working within the parameters set by the Office of Government Procurement and principles of public procurement set out at both national and EU level.
There is a large pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme. The main elements of this pipeline currently involve in excess of 1,200 school building projects for delivery under the Department’s Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme. These projects are currently in progress across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction. Most of which are expected to be either under construction or completed in the period up to 2025 and are being progressed as quickly as possible.
There are currently in excess of 250 school building projects at construction (on site) with a continuous stream of other projects at or near the tendering stage. It is anticipated that 150 to 200 school building projects will be completed annually during the 2022 to 2025 period.
The current status of these projects being delivered is listed on a county by county basis on www.gov.ie and is updated on a monthly basis to reflect their progress through the various stages.
531. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education the number of applications made by schools for special needs assistants; the number refused, appealed and the number of successful appeals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14654/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
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 manages the exceptional review process and handles each case individually. Some review requests can be concluded as an office based exercise, whilst others require a school to be visited in order to observe the current deployment of SNA support in the school setting.
The timeframe for concluding a review can vary depending on the school context or the nature of the information provided.
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.
The NCSE have confirmed that to date for the 2021/2022 school year, 866 primary and post primary schools have applied for an exceptional review of their SNA allocation. 339 of those schools received an increased allocation and 76 valid appeals were received. Of the appeals processed to date 10 were upheld.
532. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if appropriate non-negligence insurance was put in place by her Department relative to a matter (details supplied); if her Department will now deal with the serious subsidence issues along the boundary in which construction of a retaining wall and back-fill took place; if her Department will inspect the property; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14677/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers is not clearly stated in the correspondence, therefore my Department cannot give a detailed response at this time. Please provide the schools name, address and roll number in order for my Department to look into your query further and provide a detailed response.
533. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education the projected figures for the primary school population in Moate, County Westmeath, for the next five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14692/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that 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 (GIS), using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
The most recent analysis undertaken by my Department projects that over 76% of the 314 school planning areas at primary level have stable or decreasing projected enrolments for the period to 2025. Moate School Planning Area has 8 primary schools in total. Enrolments in these primary schools increased slightly over the last number of years and peaked in 2021 with an indication that enrolments will decrease slightly from 2022 onwards.
The requirement for additional school places is kept under on-going review in the context of available information on population, enrolments, existing school capacity and residential development activity. Additionally, my Department will continue to liaise with Westmeath County Council in respect of their Development Plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across the county.
534. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education the reason that a school (details supplied) was not included in the recent expansion of the DEIS programme in view of the fact that this is a rural school and all neighbouring schools are now in DEIS and this school is the only one excluded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14699/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI announced on 9 March, 2022 the expansion of the DEIS programme benefitting 347 schools. These schools were identified as having the highest levels of educational disadvantage. In the 2022/23 academic year there will be 1,194 schools in the DEIS Programme - 960 Primary and 234 Post Primary. This will also mean a €32million increase in my Department's expenditure on DEIS programme from 2023. This is the largest ever single investment in the programme and will extend DEIS status to schools serving the highest proportions of pupils at risk of educational disadvantage.
This announcement follows an extensive body of work by the DEIS technical group to develop the refined DEIS identification model to identify the concentrated levels of disadvantage of schools. Schools were identified for inclusion in the programme through the refined DEIS identification model which is an objective, statistics based model which uses information from the Department of Education enrolment databases and the Pobal HP Deprivation index. The DEIS identification model now takes into consideration the significant educational disadvantage experienced by Traveller and Roma learners and by students residing in direct provision or emergency homeless accommodation. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme and the model has been applied fairly and equally to all schools.
Schools that have not been included in the DEIS programme at this time will have an opportunity to have that decision reviewed. My Department will provide further information in the coming days on this appeals process on my Department’s website.
535. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she, in consultation with Bus Éireann, will remove the nearest school requirement for the school transport scheme given the difficulty for pupils attaining places in their nearest schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14707/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 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 €289m in 2021.
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 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 apply for school transport but who are not eligible are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
In cases where the Department is satisfied that the nearest school is full, eligibility for school transport will be determined based on the distance that children reside from their next nearest school having regard to ethos and language. To establish that the nearest school is full parents/guardians must provide certain documentary evidence including confirmation that an application for enrolment in the nearest school was made within the deadline dates specified by the school and confirmation from the school authorities that the school was full.
As you are aware 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.
In June 2021, the Steering Group presented 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 temporary alleviation 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 second phase of the review. The Steering Group will continue to report to me on an interim basis as the review progresses.
Individual queries may be addressed to School Transport Section of my Department at school_transport@education.gov.ie
536. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 147 of 23 February 2022, when the parents of a student (details supplied) can expect the results of their appeal to her Department under section 29 of the Education Act 1998. [14721/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am happy to inform the Deputy that the decision on the Section 29 appeal in this matter has now issued to both parties.
537. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the details of the appeals process for schools that did not receive DEIS status in the recent DEIS expansion announcement; when the appeals process will open; the way that the schools can access this appeals process; and when schools will receive information on the outcome of their appeal. [14725/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI announced on 9 March, 2022 the expansion of the DEIS programme benefitting 347 schools. These schools were identified as having the highest levels of educational disadvantage. In the 2022/23 academic year there will be 1,194 schools in the DEIS Programme - 960 Primary and 234 Post Primary. This will also mean a €32million increase in my Department's expenditure on DEIS programme from 2023. This is the largest ever single investment in the programme and will extend DEIS status to schools serving the highest proportions of pupils at risk of educational disadvantage.
This announcement follows an extensive body of work by the DEIS technical group to develop the refined DEIS identification model to identify the concentrated levels of disadvantage of schools. Schools were identified for inclusion in the programme through the refined DEIS identification model which is an objective, statistics based model which uses information from the Department of Education enrolment databases and the Pobal HP Deprivation index. The DEIS identification model now takes into consideration the significant educational disadvantage experienced by Traveller and Roma learners and by students residing in direct provision or emergency homeless accommodation. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme and the model has been applied fairly and equally to all schools.
Schools that have not been included in the DEIS programme at this time will have an opportunity to have that decision reviewed. My Department will provide further information in the coming days on this appeals process on my Department’s website.
538. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if she has received documents from the successful tender bidder on a project (details supplied). [14730/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Letter of Intent (LOI) issued on 15th February 2022 to the preferred tenderer. This allows the preferred bidder to put in place the Bond, Insurances and confirmations of all legal arrangements required under the Contract.
Once all necessary documentation has been received and is in order, the Department will be in a position to issue the Letter of Acceptance (LOA), which will allow the contractor to mobilise on site.
My Department will advise the Board of Management when the Letter of Acceptance issues.
539. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if her Department has received an ex gratia appeal from a former pupil of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14737/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, a revised ex gratia scheme to implement the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) judgment in O'Keeffe v Ireland, which concerned sexual abuse in day schools, opened for applications in July 2021.
An applicant whose application under the Scheme is refused by the Scheme Administrator can appeal that decision to an independent Appeals Officer. I can confirm that the Appeals Secretariat have received an appeal from the individual referred to and the matter is currently being considered by an Appeals Officer.
540. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education her plans for school patronage transfers; the way the wishes of parents, families and communities will be considered; the measures that will be put in place to ensure full transparency in the process of selecting a new patron given the news that an agreement has been reached between her Department and the Catholic bishops regarding the transfer of patronage of a school in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14744/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware I recently announced that arrangements are being put in place in a number of towns and areas of cities that have no multi-denominational primary schools to identify potential schools and to engage with school authorities, school staff and the school communities with a view to agreeing on a transfer of patronage and change of ethos, where there is sufficient demand for this.
The Council for Education of the Irish Episcopal Conference (representing the Catholic patrons) and relevant Bishops have confirmed their willingness to engage and co-operate fully with the Department in seeking to facilitate a more diverse school patronage in these towns and cities. The pilot areas are:
|
Arklow |
Athlone |
Cork* |
Dublin* |
|
Dundalk |
Galway* |
Limerick* |
Youghal |
*parts of these cities
As part of this process, the facilitator in each area, along with the relevant patron/patron representative will review data on the schools in the area and will engage directly with the relevant school authorities to progress the initiative at a local level. The process will be shaped by the stage (if any) of consideration of reconfiguration in the area concerned and whether any schools have already been identified or have opted-in at this point.
The voice of the parent and school community is important in the context of a decision to change to a multi-denominational ethos.
Government policy as set out in the Programme for Government is to:
- “Achieve the target of at least 400 multi-denominational primary schools by 2030, to improve parental choice”;
- “Expand and prioritise the transfer of viable schools to Community National Schools”;
- ”Work with communities to ensure the provision of clear, non-partisan information on the preparation for, and the consequences of, the divestment process and to respond to queries raised.”
Prospective patrons may include existing multi-denominational providers such as the Education and Training Boards, An Foras Pátrúnachta and Educate Together.
In the case of the transfer of patronage in County Tipperary to which the Deputy refers, the transfer of the particular school from its Catholic patron to the local Education and Training Board from September 2022 has already been agreed between the parties.
541. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education when a local school place can be accommodated for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14763/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in a number of school planning areas, including in Maynooth, Co. Kildare.
Where capacity issues arise it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
- Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area
- School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area
- Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school there are not available to all pupils
- External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area.
Until these issues are discussed with the relevant school authorities the true extent of any capacity issue will only become known.
My Department is working with relevant school authorities to establish the extent of enrolment pressures through ongoing discussions with the relevant school authorities. In that context, similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming years which may necessitate further action to that already in train.
Where it is determined that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, be provided through:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools, or
- Provision of a new school or schools.
Under Project Ireland 2040, my Department continues to make progress to increase the infrastructural capacity in the schools sector, in order to meet demographic and other demands. The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. Additionally, the Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, including accommodation for pupils with special educational needs, if required, for schools where an additional enrolment need has been identified. The current status of these projects being delivered is listed on www.gov.ie and is updated on a monthly basis to reflect their progress.
542. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education if an exception will be made in the case of a child (details supplied). [14764/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
This year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing a wide range of schemes and supports for children with special educational needs. This includes additional teaching and care supports.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with additional needs nationwide. The NCSE, through the local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO), is available to support both families and schools regarding a suitable placement.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department is working in close collaboration with the NCSE to ensure that the necessary provision is put in place on a timely basis throughout the country.
As the query refers to an individual placement case, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
543. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Education if she will respond to a query regarding the DEIS status of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14771/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI announced on 9 March, 2022 the expansion of the DEIS programme benefitting 347 schools. These schools were identified as having the highest levels of educational disadvantage. In the 2022/23 academic year there will be 1,194 schools in the DEIS Programme - 960 Primary and 234 Post Primary. This will also mean a €32million increase in my Department's expenditure on DEIS programme from 2023. This is the largest ever single investment in the programme and will extend DEIS status to schools serving the highest proportions of pupils at risk of educational disadvantage.
This announcement follows an extensive body of work by the DEIS technical group to develop the refined DEIS identification model to identify the concentrated levels of disadvantage of schools. Schools were identified for inclusion in the programme through the refined DEIS identification model which is an objective, statistics based model which uses information from the Department of Education enrolment databases and the Pobal HP Deprivation index. The DEIS identification model now takes into consideration the significant educational disadvantage experienced by Traveller and Roma learners and by students residing in direct provision or emergency homeless accommodation. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme and the model has been applied fairly and equally to all schools.
Schools that have not had their DEIS band reclassified at this time will have an opportunity to have that decision reviewed. My Department will provide further information in the coming days on this appeals process on my Department’s website.
