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Tuesday, 24 May 2022

Written Answers Nos. 374-393

Schools Amalgamation

Ceisteanna (374)

John Lahart

Ceist:

374. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education if she will consider the request from an organisation (details supplied) for schools to be allowed to amalgamate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25956/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I wish to advise the Deputy, that the decision-making authority for any amalgamation is the patron/trustees of the schools concerned and it is open to any patron to submit proposals to the Department for consideration.

Any proposed change involves extensive consultation at local level and must be well planned and managed in a manner that accommodates the interests of students, parents, teachers, local communities and contributes to an inclusive education system.

The Patron and relevant stakeholders are also advised to consider the implications that any amalgamation proposal may have on factors such as school accommodation, funding, staffing and school transport so that an informed decision can be made.

However, I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is not in receipt of any application from the schools in question to amalgamate.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (375)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

375. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of classes at primary school level with 30 pupils or above by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25970/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Please find below the requested information. The data is for the 2020-21 academic year the most recent year we have data available for. We will update the table as soon as the final enrolment data for 2021-2022 is published, end of June 2022.

The Deputy will be aware that the general staffing schedule is based on a 25:1 ratio.  

Academic Year 2020 - 2021

County

Classes with 30 pupils or more

Carlow

37

Cavan

35

Clare

74

Cork

294

Donegal

85

Dublin

555

Galway

142

Kerry

79

Kildare

129

Kilkenny

56

Laois

32

Leitrim

18

Limerick

125

Longford

20

Louth

89

Mayo

69

Meath

157

Monaghan

44

Offaly

46

Roscommon

26

Sligo

38

Tipperary

74

Waterford

60

Westmeath

65

Wexford

74

Wicklow

82

Grand Total

2,505

The figures are based on mainstream classes in mainstream schools and are collated from the relevant Class Size tables published on the DES website and can be found at the link below.

www.gov.ie/en/collection/class-size-information-at-individual-primary-school-level/.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (376)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

376. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the average cost per additional classroom built at primary and secondary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25971/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I can confirm to the Deputy, that the actual cost of constructing a classroom for a primary or post primary school can vary depending on a number of factors. These factors can include but are not limited to the following: the size and scope of the construction contract the classrooms are being constructed under; market conditions; site constraints; planning conditions; and procurement method. Where additional accommodation as opposed to a new school is needed, the costs associated with providing permanent accommodation will be impacted by the extent of the accommodation to be provided, linking new permanent accommodation with existing facilities, existing site topography, geographical location of schools and costs associated with complying with statutory requirements. 

While noting these contextual factors, my Department's published Basic Building Costs set the construction cost of a typical primary school classroom at €233,000.00 and at €179,000.00 for a typical post primary classroom.

Capitation Grants

Ceisteanna (377)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

377. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the annual capitation amounts to primary and post-primary schools since 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25972/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department provides funding to recognised Primary and Post-Primary schools in the free education scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, general up-keep etc. and the Ancillary/School Services Support Fund (SSSF) to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff.  Schools also receive a range of other grants including Book Grants, Programme grants etc. 

Details of annual expenditure by my Department on capitation related grants for Primary and Post-Primary schools in the years 2009 to 2021 are provided in the table below.

Capitation Grants

School Textbooks

Ceisteanna (378)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

378. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the full-year cost of current schoolbook rental schemes; the estimated cost to provide books free of charge to all school children. [25973/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department provides a book grant to all recognised primary and post primary schools within the Free Education Scheme in order to provide assistance for books including Book Rental Schemes. Under this scheme, my Department provided funding of €17.2 million in 2021 to all of these schools. Schools participating in my Department’s DEIS Programme receive an enhanced rate of book grant.

School book rental schemes have an important role to play in reducing the cost of school books for parents and guardians. In order to support the establishment of book rental schemes my Department provided €15.7 million seed capital in 2014, 2015 and 2016 to all primary schools.   From the information available to my Department currently, approximately 96% of all primary schools and 69% of all post-primary schools operate a book rental scheme.

It is a matter for the Board of Management of each individual school to decide on its own policy in relation to the use of book grant funding in the school but they are expected to adopt a cost-conscious approach to the selection of books for use in their classes. The current arrangement relies on the local knowledge of the school in order to ensure a fair allocation of funds to those most in need.  Therefore, my Department does not hold information in relation to these costs.

A survey from Barnados indicates that it would require an additional investment of around €40 million per annum to provide free school books to all pupils across all fully publicly funded schools.

Additional funding of €1million was provided under Budget 2020 to provide free books in DEIS primary schools on a pilot basis. This funding was allocated to 102 DEIS primary schools for a new pilot programme for the 2020/21 school year. The aim of this pilot is to provide free school books for students in the schools involved, and to support these schools in eliminating the cost of school books for parents.

Under Circular 46/2013, DEIS primary schools receive a book grant of €21 per pupil.  This pilot provided an additional €64 per pupil to increase the overall book grant rate to €85 per pupil enrolled in the school. This is in line with the costings as set out in the 2019 Barnardos report on the Real Cost of School which states that €85 is the average cost of school books at primary school.

Funding continued for the 2021/22 school year and the effectiveness and impact of the pilot will be evaluated before any decision is made as regards its possible extension or continuation. It is my intention to complete this process as soon as possible.

School Transport

Ceisteanna (379)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

379. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of providing free school transport to each child availing of the school transport scheme in 2022. [25974/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

School 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. It should be noted that of the total spend on school transport services in 2021 some €49.2m was spent on Covid related measures.

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. 

The average cost of providing transport for a child to a primary or post-primary school is estimated at €1,000 per annum.  The average cost to provide transport for a child who requires Special Educational Needs transport is estimated at €9,000 per annum.  

School Transport is a demand led scheme and services are planned annually based on the number of eligible pupils who apply and pay on time. The closing date for receipt of payment for school transport for the 2022/23 school year is 29th July 2022.  The final number of children to be accommodated on school transport services for the 2022/23 school year will not be known until after this date.

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (380)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

380. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of additional SNAs that have been hired since Budget 2021; and the cost of same. [25975/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews. The Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations.

Budget 2022 provides funding for an additional 1,165 SNAs (in 2022) to provide support to children with special educational needs, which will bring the total number of SNAs to 19,169 at the end of December 2022.   This will represent an increase of 81% since 2011 at which time 10,575 were provided.

When a school has been allocated an SNA, the Board of Management, as the employer, is responsible for filling the vacancy and the decision on whether to employ a full time SNA to fill a full time post or to employ an equivalent number of part time SNAs rests with the employer.

My Department acts as paymaster to over 3,700 schools whose Boards of Management are the direct employers of the SNAs in those schools. SNAs in the Education and Training Board sector are employed and paid by the ETBs.

The annual current cost at entry of an additional Special Needs Assistant is €30,001 including employer PRSI. SNA salary rates are contained in circular letter 0009/2022 and can be accessed gov.ie - Revision of Salaries for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) with effect from 1 February 2022 (www.gov.ie)

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (381)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

381. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the total number of primary schools and the total number of secondary schools in the State. [25976/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

There are 3,240 primary schools and 728 post-primary schools in the state.

The above figures are taken from the 2021-2022 preliminary enrolment data which was published in December 2021. This will be replaced by the final enrolment data for 2021-2022 which we expect to publish end of June 2022. www.gov.ie/en/collection/primary-schools/www.gov.ie/en/collection/post-primary-schools/.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (382)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

382. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of schools across the country with 1 to 10, 21 to 30,31 to 40, 41 to 50 and over 50 rooms, in tabular form. [25977/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In order to inform my Department’s National Inventory of School Capacity, as part of the annual Schools Data Collection, schools have been asked to report the total number of classrooms within their existing accommodation.  These rooms may include general classrooms for mainstream education, classrooms being utilised to provide for pupils with special education needs, classrooms currently being utilised for other purposes, and classrooms which are currently vacant.

Each individual school is responsible for providing the correct and relevant information as part of the Schools Data Collection.

94% of primary schools and 99% of post primary schools completed their Schools Data Collection return for 2021/22.  Based on the information provided by these schools, the tables below set out the numbers of schools (of those which made returns) within certain bands of indicated classrooms.

Primary

Number of Indicated Classrooms

Number of Schools

<=10

1962

11-20

690

21-30

224

>30

52

Post Primary

Number of Indicated Classrooms

Number of Schools

<=20

262

21-40

375

>40

85

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (383)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

383. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of schools across the country with 1 to 50, 51 to 100, 101 to 200, 201 to 300, 301 to 400, 401 to 500, 501 to 600, 601 to 700, 701 to 800, 801 to 900, 901 to 1,000, 1,001 to 1,100, 1,101 to 1,200 and over 1,200 students in tabular form. [25978/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Please find below the requested information. The data is for the 2020-21 academic year the most recent year we have final enrolment data available. We will update the table as soon as the final enrolment data for 2021-2022 is published, end of June 2022.

Enrolment Data

School Admissions

Ceisteanna (384)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

384. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education when school places will be made available for children (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26009/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy may be aware, for school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements.

Having considered the projected requirements in each school planning area, my Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity within that particular area and its ability to meet any increased demand.

Where data indicates that additional provision is required at primary or post primary level, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:

- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,

- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,

- Provision of a new school or schools.

While my Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures 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 they are not available to all pupils

- External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area

My Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues 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 including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions.

The Deputy may also be aware of the very significant school building programme that is currently underway.  Overall, there are in excess of 1,300 school building projects at various stages of design, planning, and construction. The current status of approved projects under the school building programme is listed on a county by county basis on my Department's website at www.gov.ie and is regularly updated.

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (385, 386, 387, 388, 389, 390, 391, 392, 393, 394, 395, 396, 397, 398, 399, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

385. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of SNAs employed in September 2021 in special classes in secondary schools. [26036/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

386. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of SNAs employed in September 2021 in mainstream classes in secondary schools. [26037/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

387. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of SNAs employed in September 2021 in special classes in primary schools. [26038/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

388. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of SNAs employed in September 2021 in mainstream classes in primary schools. [26039/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

389. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of SNAs employed in September 2021 in special schools. [26040/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

390. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of SNAs employed in September 2020 in special classes in secondary schools. [26041/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

391. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of SNAs employed in September 2020 in mainstream classes in secondary schools. [26042/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

392. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of SNAs employed in September 2020 in special classes in primary schools. [26043/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

393. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of SNAs employed in September 2020 in mainstream classes in primary schools. [26044/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

394. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of SNAs employed in September 2020 in special schools. [26045/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

395. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of SNAs currently employed since September 2021 in mainstream classes in secondary schools. [26047/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

396. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of SNAs currently employed since September 2021 in special classes in primary schools. [26048/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

397. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of SNAs currently employed since September 2021 in mainstream classes in primary schools. [26049/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

398. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of SNAs employed since September 2021 in special schools. [26050/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

399. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of SNAs currently employed in special schools. [26052/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

400. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of children in mainstream primary school classes receiving the assistance of a special needs assistant in September 2020. [26077/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

401. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of children in mainstream secondary school classes receiving the assistance of a special needs assistant in September 2020. [26078/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

402. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of children in special classes at secondary level receiving the assistance of a special needs assistant in September 2020. [26079/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

403. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of children in special classes at primary level receiving the assistance of a special needs assistant in September 2020. [26080/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

404. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of children in special schools receiving the assistance of a special needs assistant in September 2020. [26081/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

405. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of children in mainstream primary school classes receiving the assistance of a special needs assistant in September 2021. [26082/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

406. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of children in mainstream secondary school classes receiving the assistance of a special needs assistant in September 2021. [26083/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

407. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of children in special classes at secondary level receiving the assistance of a special needs assistant in September 2021.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26084/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

408. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of children in special classes at primary level receiving the assistance of a special needs assistant in September 2021. [26085/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

409. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of children in special schools receiving the assistance of a special needs assistant in September 2021. [26086/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

410. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of children in mainstream primary school classes currently receiving the assistance of a special needs assistant. [26087/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

411. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of children in mainstream secondary school classes currently receiving the assistance of a special needs assistant. [26088/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

412. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of children in special classes at secondary level currently receiving the assistance of a special needs assistant. [26089/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

413. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of children in special classes at primary level currently receiving the assistance of a special needs assistant. [26090/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

414. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of children in special schools currently receiving the assistance of a special needs assistant. [26091/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 385 to 414, inclusive, together.

I propose to take 29 of the Deputy’s PQs together, as each question relates to Special Needs Assistants.

The provision of education for children with special needs is an ongoing priority for Government. 

The State currently spends in excess of 25% of its annual education and training budget (€9.2 Billion) on making additional provision for children with special educational needs. This represents an increase of over 60% in total expenditure since 2011, at which point €1.247 Billion per annum was provided.

Budget 2022 provides funding for an additional 1,165 SNAs (in 2022) to provide support to children with special educational needs, which will bring the total number of SNAs to 19,169 at the end of December 2022.  

Provision for 19,169 SNAs as at 31st December 2022 will represent an increase of 81% since 2011 at which time 10,575 were provided.

The NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews. The Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations.

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.

When a school has been allocated an SNA, the Board of Management, as the employer, is responsible for filling the vacancy and the decision on whether to employ a full time SNA to fill a full time post or to employ an equivalent number of part time SNAs, rests with the employer.

My Department acts as paymaster to over 3,700 schools who’s Boards of Management are the direct employers of the SNAs in those schools. SNAs in the Education and Training Board sector are employed and paid by the ETBs. Information of the number of people employed to fill the posts allocated is not available. However, the NCSE publish statistics on SNA allocations to primary, post primary and special schools in tabular form, by county and by school, for each school year, this information is available on their website, www.ncse.ie or by using the following link: ncse.ie/statistics.

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. Information of the number of pupils receiving the support of an SNA in mainstream schools is therefore, not available.

The SNA allocation to a special school can change from year to year as children with care needs leave the school, as new children with care needs enroll in a school and as children develop more independent living skills and their care needs diminish over time. There is a prescribed special class to SNA ratio. ASD special classes have an allocation of 1 teacher and 2 SNA posts to cater for the educational and care needs of 6 students. Additional SNA support above the prescribed ratio may also be sanctioned by the NCSE where there are individual children who have significant care needs which require support above the level of support already sanctioned to the school.

As this question relates to the statistics on the allocation of SNA support, I have referred the question to the NCSE for its direct reply.

Question No. 386 answered with Question No. 385.
Question No. 387 answered with Question No. 385.
Question No. 388 answered with Question No. 385.
Question No. 389 answered with Question No. 385.
Question No. 390 answered with Question No. 385.
Question No. 391 answered with Question No. 385.
Question No. 392 answered with Question No. 385.
Question No. 393 answered with Question No. 385.
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