Written Answers Nos. 434-453
434. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education if the NCSE will commit to providing full-time special needs assistant support which has been recommended by the Disability Network Team for a person (details supplied). [26262/22]
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.
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 https://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: https://ncse.ie/school-support.
All schools have the contact details of their local SENO, and the SENO is available to offer assistance and advice to the school. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
My Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations. Accordingly your correspondence has been forwarded to the NCSE for direct reply.
435. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the latest average class size figure for primary schools in Ireland for 2021 and 2022 academic years (details supplied); if the average class size has reduced from 23.3 as detailed in her Department’s statistical bulletin from December 2021. [26263/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe average primary class size for academic year 2020-2021 was 23.3 as published in the Statistical Bulletin-July 2021, link below; https://assets.gov.ie/139883/8cc02789-a453-4abd-8940-b6195377909f.pdf.
We expect to publish the final primary enrolments for 2021-2022 including class tables by the end of June 2022.
We will then be in a position to provide the average primary class size for 2021-2022.
436. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the number of children enrolled in primary schools as of the 30 September 2021; and the number of pupils enrolled in special schools on the same date. [26264/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs per the preliminary enrolment figures for 2021-2022, published in December 2021, there are 546,121 pupils enrolled in mainstream primary schools and 8,682 pupils enrolled in special schools; assets.gov.ie/212274/d521dc50-7b9d-4207-9e72-48e01054ab4f.xlsx.
We expect to publish the final primary enrolments for 2021-2022 by the end of June 2022 and the final enrolments will replace the preliminary enrolments.
437. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education the provisions and plans that are in place to supply additional ASD classes in secondary schools in the Rathcoole, Newcastle, Brittas and Saggart areas of Dublin. [26294/22]
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.
As a result, the number of special education teachers, special needs assistants and special class and school places are at unprecedented levels.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide.
Over the last two years, my Department and the NCSE have worked closely on a more streamlined and joined up planning process which has ensured a targeted approach to meet demand for special needs placements ahead of each new school-year.
I am satisfied that this more joined up approach is delivering. Through this intensive intervention, we have seen over 300 special classes, providing over 1,800 new places, opened nationwide for the 2021/22 school-year.
I also acknowledge that notwithstanding the extent of this investment, there are some parts of the country where increases in population and other issues have led to concerns regarding a shortage of school places.
I can confirm that the NCSE is aware of an identified need for additional special classes for students with autism in the Dublin areas referenced by the Deputy. Work has been underway with stakeholders for a number of years in this area to meet the demand for places.
NCSE has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents and seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.
NCSE is continuing to engage with schools regarding the establishment of additional special classes for 2022/23 and beyond. There are specific plans in place to open additional special classes and every support will be made available to progress their opening in the shortest possible timeframe with a particular focus on September next.
It is of course open to any school to engage with the NCSE to establish a special class.
My Department is committed, in conjunction with the NCSE, to continue to work with parents, schools, patrons and all stakeholders to ensure that there are sufficient appropriate places for students with additional needs and to support all students to achieve their potential.
I want to reassure the Deputy also that my Department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education
The list of special schools is available on the NCSE website at the following link: ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCSE-Special-School-Allocations-21-22-website-03-12-2021.pdf
and for special classes at: ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Final-2021_2022-Sp-Class-list-25_03_22.pdf.
438. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education the proposed capacity of new buildings at a school (details supplied); the expected completion date with regard to the building works at this school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26324/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to Cavan & Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB).
I am pleased to inform that the project was recently approved by the Department to proceed to Stage 2b of the architectural planning process; the next step for the Design Team in that regard will be to obtain the statutory planning approvals.
While at this early stage it is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of the project, CMETB will be engaging directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.
439. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if adjustments will be made to the leaving certificate examination 2023 to compensate for the disruptions experienced by current fifth year students as a result of Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26326/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe decisions made, and which I announced in February, regarding the assessment arrangements and overall grade outcomes for Leaving Certificate 2022 reflect the disruption to their learning that has been experienced by this year’s Leaving Certificate students over the past two years, including periods of school closures whilst those students were in the Senior Cycle, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Planning for the 2023 examinations starts immediately following the 2022 examinations. At present no changes to the 2023 assessment arrangements for the State Examinations have been made, and this will be kept under review.
440. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education the number of investigations, internal or external, commissioned by her Department into instances in which Departmental documents or information was leaked to the media, which were commissioned or conducted in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022; the nature of such leaks and investigations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26334/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has not commissioned any such investigation in the period outlined.
441. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of building a school hall. [26385/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the actual cost of constructing a General Purpose (GP) Room for a Primary School and a PE Hall for a Post Primary School can vary depending on a number of factors which can include, but not limited to the size and scope of the construction contract the GP/PE Halls are being constructed under, market conditions, site constraints, planning conditions, procurement method, etc.
Typical costs for the provision of GP rooms and PE halls are as follows:
- GP room for a 4 classroom primary school is €510,000;
- GP room for a 8 to 16 classroom primary school is €690,000;
- GP room for a 24 classroom primary school is €1,360,000;
Average cost estimate to build a PE Hall including Changing Rooms and Fitness Suite in the following school types:
450 to 1,000 pupil post primary school : €3.55m
Up to 449 pupils post primary school : €2.6m.
442. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Education the names of all post-primary schools that received funding for each of the years 2016 to 2021 for the purposes of developing a sports hall as part of their extension and or additional accommodation allocation; the amount allocated for each sports hall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26390/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides PE halls with the construction of all new post primary schools. These facilities may also be provided where a major building or refurbishment project is being delivered for an existing school.
My Department is working to compile the available data requested by the Deputy and I will arrange for this information to be sent directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department continues to implement the capital programme under the National Development Plan. Investment and expenditure on PE halls is an element of the overall expenditure and investment in the School Building Programme. The main focus of resources over the last decade has been on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics, particularly at post-primary level and for special education needs provision.
However, under Project Ireland 2040 there will be an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock. This will include a PE Hall build and modernisation programme to ensure that students in all post-primary schools have access to appropriate facilities to support PE provision, as committed to in the Programme for Government.
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. Details of large-scale projects being delivered under the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website at, www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
As the Deputy may be aware, at a national level, primary enrolments are projected to decrease significantly over the coming decade, from a peak in 2018. While there will be local and regional variations, and the impact of Ukrainian arrivals will mitigate this reduction somewhat, there will be strategic opportunities to consider the overall accommodation needs of schools.
My Department will continue to work to ensure that capital investment in our schools is targeted in the most efficient and effective way to support schools in meeting the education needs of their students and communities.
443. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the status of a school (details supplied) in Maynooth, County Kildare. [26405/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is intended that the permanent accommodation needs of the school in question will be met in a former school building. In this regard, the patron of the school appointed a consultant to undertake an Options Study of the property concerned.
The patron furnished a copy of this Options Study to my Department and this is currently being considered. My Department will engage with the patron further when this process has been completed.
444. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of providing free school transport to all students currently using these services. [26419/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra445. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of children who unsuccessfully applied for a seat on the school bus transport scheme in the 2021-2022 academic year. [26420/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra446. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of providing free school transport for one child. [26421/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 444 to 446, inclusive, together.
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.
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 complete the application and payment process on time are accommodated on school transport where such services are in operation. The number of eligible students who did not complete the application and payment process on time for the 2021/22 school year was 1030.
The cost to operate school transport scheme services in 2021 was over €289 m. 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.
In 2021, receipts from school transport charges amounted to approximately €12m (net of refunds issued arising from Covid related school closures). If school transport fees were to be abolished and eligibility criteria remained the same, the cost of providing free transport to each child availing of school transport would be approximately an additional cost of €12m on the total cost of transport for the year. This figure is based on current patterns of school transport uptake and could vary depending on eligibility and demand.
447. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if further advice will be provided on a matter (details supplied) in relation to a career break; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26426/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe terms and conditions of the Career Break Scheme for teachers is contained in my Department’s Circular Letter 54/2019 (Chapter 7).
As previously explained to the Deputy, where a Career Break is approved, it must be for a minimum period of one school year. The Career Break may be extended, subject to employer approval, on an annual basis not to exceed five years at any one time, up to a maximum of 10 years absence in the course of the teacher's career. A subsequent Career Break may not be taken until the teacher has served for a period equal to the duration of the previous Career Break. However, in the case of a teacher wishing to avail of a Career Break to undertake voluntary service abroad/missionary/diplomatic/military/Oireachtas or study leave this requirement will be waived.
Employers must have a policy on teacher absences, including the Career Break Scheme. The welfare and education needs of the pupils must take precedence over all other considerations and they must take account of the availability of appropriate qualified replacement teachers. The capacity of the school to meets its obligations to its pupils can mean employers may apply a limit to the number of teaching staff that may avail of Career Break at any one time.
Under Section 24 of the Education Act 1998, the Minister for Education, with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform, is authorised to determine the terms and conditions of employment for teachers employed in approved teaching posts funded by monies provided by the Oireachtas. The Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC) forms part of the Scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration for Teachers, the purpose of which is to provide a forum for claims and proposals relating to the salary, and other terms & conditions of service for teachers. The Council is comprised of representatives from the Teacher Unions, the School Management Bodies, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and the Department of Education. The TCC is independently chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission.
The terms and conditions of teachers employed in State funded teaching posts are formulated at TCC and are of general application to all teachers appointed to such posts. The Career Break Scheme exists by virtue of a collective agreement, concluded under the auspices of the TCC.
448. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the status of building works at schools (details supplied); the estimated start and completion dates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26427/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of the tender process and subject to no issues arising, the project is expected to commence on-site in Quarter 3 2022. The contract duration is 35 months.
449. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she will review the decision to refuse an application for assistive technology for a pupil (details supplied). [26472/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Assistive Technology scheme, as set out in my Department’s Circular 0010/2013, funding is provided to schools towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment, which are required for educational purposes.
All equipment provided under this scheme supports children with more complex disabilities who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential specialist equipment.
It must be clear that the existing I.T. equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs. Where necessary, schools may also purchase new or additional equipment or software for students from normal school resources or funds.
Decisions regarding the use and deployment of digital technology in schools is a matter for the Board of Management of each school, as schools are best placed to determine the most appropriate solution to adopt in terms of supporting the learning needs of their students based on school's own context and circumstances, and in accordance with their Digital Learning Plan.
Where children with more complex disabilities require essential specialist equipment to access the school curriculum, which they do not already have, or which cannot be provided for them through the schools existing provisions, schools may make an application for such equipment to the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) under the terms of this scheme.
The NCSE through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports. SENOs also make recommendations to my Department where assistive technology/specialised equipment is required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making recommendations for support.
Schools make applications directly to the SENO, providing details of the student’s special educational needs or disability, including details of the approach taken by the school in making relevant interventions.
In order to qualify for equipment under the Assistive Technology Scheme, a student must have been diagnosed with a physical or communicative disability and must also have a recommendation in a professional assessment that the equipment is essential in order to allow the student to access the curriculum.
SENOs will review the application, and professional reports provided in support of same, in order to establish whether the criteria of the scheme have been met. They will then make a recommendation to my Department as to whether or not assistive technology is required; and based on this recommendation, my Department will decide on the level of grant, if any, to be provided.
The qualifying criteria is set out in Circular 0010/2013, and the NCSE recommendation will be based upon accompanying professional reports. If the school have concerns regarding the result of the pupil’s most recent assessment, they should raise these concerns with the psychologist who conducted the assessment. Subsequently, if new or additional information become available, which provides further clarification regarding the requirement for assistive technology for the pupil, in accordance with the terms of the scheme, it will be open to the school to submit an Assistive Technology application for consideration to the NCSE.
I can confirm that my Department have received an appeal to the decision to refuse an application for assistive technology under Circular 10/2013 for this student, this appeal is currently being reviewed and a decision will be issued to the school principal shortly.
450. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education the status of plans and buildings for a school (details supplied) that will have 100 students in first, second and third year in September 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26476/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department understands that the projected pupil enrolment for the school in question in September 2022 will be accommodated in the school's current accommodation.
It is intended that the permanent accommodation needs of the school will be met in a former school building. In this regard, the patron of the school appointed a consultant to undertake an Options Study of the property concerned.
The patron furnished a copy of this Options Study to my Department and this is currently being considered. My Department will engage with the patron further when this process has been completed.
451. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education if a child who is accepted for the summer provision can also be approved for summer tuition in a home-based programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26549/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis year’s Summer Programme will allow all primary and post-primary schools to offer a summer programme for students with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage. In line with last year, the total funding available to provide summer programmes this year is up to €40 million. Building on the 2021 programme, all schools, both primary and post-primary, are encouraged to provide this valuable programme to their students. In 2021 nearly 38,000 children availed of the summer programme, an increase of 60% from the previous year.
It is important to note that school-based programmes provide a more holistic experience for students and help retain the important connection with school and peers. Where a school offers a school based programme, it is not open to students of that school to also access the home-based programme. This is in line with the approach taken for the past two years.
It should be noted that children participating in a 2 week school-based programme receive in excess of 40 hours tuition which is the maximum that can be availed of in the 4 week home-based programme.
Because of the overwhelming preference for children to take part in school based programmes where possible it is an important part of the general rules that home based tuition is not available where a school based programme is being provided. However it is recognized that there may be exceptional circumstances where home tuition could be provided to a student instead of the school programme even where their school is running a programme. While it is not possible to be prescriptive of all possible exceptional circumstances, parents may contact the Department directly with any queries.
452. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection if she was notified of a change in policy in relation to a service (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25668/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body with responsibility for the Citizens Information Service (CIS). CIB provides funding to eight CIS companies that operate a national network of Citizens Information Centres. Each CIS is a limited company overseen by a board of directors and makes decisions independently on the delivery of services in their regions.
Volunteers have not provided any information provision role in Citizens Information Services for over two years. The updates and changes to information, advice and advocacy that have taken place during the past two years have been unprecedented.
My Department therefore understands that CIB and the CIS have set up a Volunteer Strategy Working Group, which is currently working on proposals regarding the future role of volunteers in the Citizens Information Services. Recommendations from this group will inform CIB and CIS of the most suitable way to re-engage volunteers to support the services and deliver information, advice, and advocacy to the public.
The future role of volunteers is an operational matter for the respective CIS companies and not a matter for Ministerial decision.
453. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Social Protection if the attention of her Department has been drawn to the closure of the Citizens Information Centre in Cobh in east County Cork, despite there being a ten-year lease on the property since 2020; the reason for this closure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25719/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Citizens Information Board (CIB) is a statutory independent body as set out in the Comhairle Act 2010 which operates under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection. CIB provides funding to 22 companies in order to deliver services on its behalf. This includes eight CIS companies that operate a national network of Citizens Information Centres, including South Munster CIS, which encompasses Cobh. These eight companies are fully responsible for the delivery of services and all related operational matters including office opening hours in their respective regions.
My Department has been informed that the Cobh CIC office is currently open three mornings per week with an Information Officer in attendance. Phone and email queries from the Cobh area are dealt with Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm. Face to face appointments are offered as required in Cork city CIC and also in Youghal CIC. Appointments at the Cobh office can be facilitated for customers who may face challenges attending at Cork or Youghal.
South Munster CIS is currently reviewing its service footprint to better support the public across the South Munster Region.
Each CIS company is responsible for all matters and decisions relating to its staff and operations, including how it delivers its services to citizens.
