Written Answers Nos. 1044-1061
1044. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if every applicant for secondary school in Newbridge, Kildare and the surrounding rural areas has obtained a school place for the coming school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30578/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is aware of some local pressures and demand for additional post-primary school places in a number of school planning areas across the country including South Kildare.
However, 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/patrons. In that context, similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, the Department is engaging with school patron bodies/school authorities to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate action including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions.
There is a number of building projects planned for the South Kildare area:
- Curragh Post-Primary School - Following an extensive site identification, assessment and negotiation process, agreement in principle, subject to contract, has been reached for the acquisition, by the Department of Education, of a permanent school site in Kildare Town to provide a replacement school for the Curragh Post Primary School. This site will accommodate 1,000 pupils and will include a 4 classroom special education needs unit. The new school will cater for the increased demographic growth at post-primary level due to occur in the Kildare South region over the coming years, the majority of which is projected to occur in Kildare Town. The location of this 8 acre greenfield site is next to two existing primary schools, Kildare Town Educate Together National School and Gaelscoil Mhic Aodha, within the grounds of the former Magee Barracks, Kildare Town. The development of the post primary school on this site will enhance the education facilities available to the Curragh Post Primary School and the existing primary schools in a new educational campus arrangement. Due to commercial sensitivities, it is not possible to provide further information at this time.
- Cross and Passion College, Kilcullen - project at stage 2a (Developed Sketch Scheme). This project will provide for an extension to expand the school to cater for 1,000 pupils.
- Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge - project at stage 2a (Developed Sketch Scheme). This project will provide for an expansion of the school to cater for 1,000 pupils.
- Ardscoil Rathangan - Additional School Accommodation (ASA) project approved for this school to allow for the school to expand to 750 pupils.
- St. Conleth’s Community College, Newbridge - Plans to expand this school being discussed with the patron Kildare Wicklow ETB.
- St. Paul’s Secondary School, Monasterevin - project on site to provide a replacement new school to cater for 850 pupils.
- Holy Family Secondary School, Newbridge (application received and currently under assessment)
My Department is aware that there are currently places available in St. Conleth's Post-Primary School in Newbridge for the 2022/23 school year. My Department's engagement with Patrons/school authorities is ongoing and is focused on ensuring that the start of the 2022/23 school year operates as smoothly as possible for all schools and their students. The Department is satisfied that with the additional places proposed with these building projects that the projected enrolments for South Kildare can be catered for within the existing schools in the school planning areas of South Kildare.
1045. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education if she will review the reduction of allocation from 14.5 special needs assistants, SNAs, to 12.5 in a school (details supplied) and the reduction from six to four SNAs allocated to one of its centres, given the particular circumstances of the school and the impact the reduction will have in enabling pupils in the special classes to participate in mainstream classes. [30590/22]
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.
SNA support is allocated to special classes and special schools by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). The NCSE have published the SNA allocations on their website www.ncse.ie.
Under the allocation model for special classes and special schools, the SNA allocation can change from year to year as children with care needs leave the school, as new children with care needs enrol 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 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. In such circumstances, the school may apply to the NCSE for access to additional care supports, clearly outlining the reason why the additional support is necessary.
Detailed information on the NCSE Exceptional Review process is published on the NCSE website, ncse.ie/application-for-sna-exceptional-review.
My Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations and the school should liaise with the NCSE directly in the event that additional supports are required.
1046. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on progress on the new building for a school (details supplied); if a design team has been appointed; when it is expected that an application will be made for planning permission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30634/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to inform the Deputy that the building project for the school to which he refers is being devolved for delivery to Galway & Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB).
The Service Level Agreement (SLA) has been issued to GRETB.
The next step is for the ETB to procure a Design Team for the project to design the buildings, obtain the necessary statutory planning permissions, and move the project onward to tender and construction in due course.
1047. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education the reason a child (details supplied) is being refused a place in a national school when their two siblings are already enrolled in the school; the alternatives that are available, including school transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30636/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in that area.
Under the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, all schools are required to have drafted new admissions policies, which have been approved by the patron, following consultation with staff and parents of children who are attending the school. The newly revised school’s admissions policy is published on the schools website. It is a key requirement of the act that all school admission policies are fair and transparent. Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available for the relevant year, the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process will be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
The Act requires schools to clearly set out their selection criteria in their admission policies. Schools have discretion in relation to their admission criteria and how they are applied. The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for the schools themselves. Schools can use age as a selection criterion should they wish to do so. It is an important feature of the act that schools can only make a decision on an application for admission that is based on the schools admission policy.
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. In cases where my Department is satisfied that the nearest school is full, eligibility for the School Transport Scheme 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.
Consistent with primary level national enrolments which peaked in 2018, records available to my Department indicate that the school referred to by the Deputy has also experienced a decreased enrolment in recent years. My Department’s demographic projections indicate a continuing decline in primary school enrolments of over 120,000 by 2033. Although these projections do not account for arriving Ukrainian students, it is clear that at a national level there will be increasing levels of capacity within our existing schools infrastructure. While local and regional variations will, of course, be relevant, the use of such capacity - to meet the needs of Ukrainian children in the first instance - will be an important element in my Department’s strategic planning for capital investment in our schools.
My Department already has a large pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme to cater for current and future educational demands. The pipeline of projects is kept under continual review to ensure alignment with Project Ireland 2040 objectives. Good progress continues to be made with the rollout of projects, and the current status of projects being delivered is listed in tabular format, on a county by county basis, on the Department’s website at www.gov.ie and is regularly updated. Specifically, in the Ballinasloe School Planning Area, there is a new school planned for Scoil an Chroi Naofa and the brief for this has been revised to cater for a principal and 16 mainstream classrooms to cater for future demand in the area.
1048. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education the status of an appeal by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30649/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.
For the 2022/23 school year, the staffing schedule for primary schools has been improved by one point and schools will be provided with class teachers on the basis of 1 teacher for every 24 pupils which is a historical low ratio, with lower thresholds applying to DEIS Urban Band 1 schools.
The staffing process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. Details of the appeal process are available in Circular 25/2022.
1049. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure the provision of a previously promised teacher allocation at a school (details supplied); if the allocation will be urgently restored to the original commitment, given the unique and compelling reasons that have already been specified by the school authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30683/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTeacher allocations to all second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment.
The Department provides a staffing allocation to each ETB based on the overall enrolment of the schools within the ETB. The distribution of this staffing allocation is a matter for the Chief Executive of the ETB based on the overall enrolment of the schools within the ETB.
The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to school managements annually and are available on the Department website (Circular 0024/2022). In accordance with the published staffing arrangements, each school management authority is required to organise its subject options within the limit of its approved teacher allocation.
Where a school management authority is unable to meet its curricular commitments within its approved allocation, my Department considers applications for additional short term support i.e. curricular concessions. This concession is available as a short term support to enable essential curricular provision to continue.
The allocation processes also include appellate mechanisms under which schools and ETBs can appeal against the allocation due to them under the staffing schedules. The ETB can submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeal Board which was established specifically to adjudicate on appeals on staffing allocations in post-primary schools. The Post Primary Appeals Board operates independently of my Department.
1050. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education the reasons for the delay and the timescales going forward for the commencement of the building of an extension for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30686/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers has a number of devolved building projects in train currently.
Under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme a project was approved in 2018 for the following level of provision: 5 x mainstream classrooms with toilet facilities, 2 science labs & 1 prep area, 1 x Art/Craft room & prefab replacement of 4 mainstream classrooms. Following an initial Stage 1 submission in 2020 and a subsequent a site visit by Department officials some months ago, it was agreed that the scope for this project should be increased. The Department awaits a revised Stage 1 submission in that respect.
Refurbishment works to provide an ASD Class were also approved under the ASA Scheme for 2020. A change order request primarily in respect of the entrance lobby was recently submitted to the Department. This request was approved and the school was advised accordingly on the 19th May 2022.
There is also a significant project progressing for this school to provide 4 x mainstream classrooms in modular accommodation under the Department's Modular Accommodation Framework. Task Order 1 has been issued in this regard and a provider has been appointed to supply and install the accommodation. Following a request by the school to defer construction works onsite, it is expected that works will commence next week. Notwithstanding the delay to the onsite construction, it is expected that the accommodation will be in pace for the start of the 2022-23 school year.
The Department is committed to providing for the short, medium and long-term accommodation needs of this school in as practical and expeditious way as possible and will continue to work closely with the school and its appointed design team towards achieving these goals.
1051. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the final costs in respect of a roof, window installations and render finish to a school in Naas, County Kildare (details supplied); if a tender issued for these works; the total costs to date paid to the design team of the project; the amount expended to keep the site secure; and the duration of the security contract. [30700/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Board of Management of the school referred to by the Deputy has been through a formal dispute resolution process resulting in the termination of the obligation of the Main Contractor to complete the construction of the new school building.
The works to complete the building project comprise of two separate projects - interim enabling works to seal the building and then full completion works.
The interim enabling works contract which includes finishing and sealing the roof, window installations and render finish was tendered. The total cost of the interim project was circa €3m and includes Design Team Fees.
Tender documentation is currently being finalised in respect of the completion works contract and it is anticipated that tenders will be invited shortly.
1052. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she and-or the board of management of a school (details supplied) are involved in litigation with a contractor that had its contracted terminated in respect of a school project in Naas, County Kildare. [30701/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Board of Management of the school referred to by the Deputy has been through a formal dispute resolution process resulting in the termination of the obligation of the Main Contractor to complete the construction of the new school building. The dispute is currently in Arbitration.
1053. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a schedule of all subcontractors on a school project (details supplied) that are still owed fees for services and the date on which these contractors will be paid. [30702/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA building project is a complex arrangement of contractual relationships between the client, the main contractor, specialist sub-contractors, domestic sub-contractors, suppliers of materials, suppliers of plant etc. In general all sub-contractors employed on education sector building projects are employed directly by the Main Contractor or indirectly by the Main Contractor through other sub-contractors. It is a matter for all sub-contractors to agree terms and conditions and a schedule of payments with the Main Contractor as their direct employer.
The Board of Management of the school in question has been through a formal dispute resolution process resulting in the termination of the obligation of the Main Contractor to complete the construction of the new school building.
The Main Contractor has been paid for all work completed on site.
The school authority's contractual obligation is with the main contractor.
It is a matter for any sub-contractor to pursue the main contractor in respect of any payment disputes that may arise.
1054. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure the provision of a fifth teacher to a school (details supplied) that has 112 children enrolled for September 2022 and which, without the provision of same, will result in the provision of only four classes, not five classes as urgently required; if further information can be provided as to the reason this fifth teacher has been rescinded given the urgent need for staff and school places in north Kildare; if all efforts can be made to rectify this situation urgently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30750/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.
For the 2022/23 school year, the staffing schedule for primary schools has been improved by one point and schools will be provided with class teachers on the basis of 1 teacher for every 24 pupils which is a historical low ratio, with lower thresholds applying to DEIS Urban Band 1 schools.
The staffing process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. Details of the appeal process are available in Circular 25/2022.
1055. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education the status of an appeal by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30757/22]
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.
In relation to SNA support the NCSE have confirmed that the school has an allocation of SNA support to provide support for children with primary care needs.
The following arrangements for the allocation of SNA support in respect of students in mainstream classes for 2022/23 will apply:
a) The SNA allocations for mainstream classes in schools on 31st May 2022 will be maintained for 2022/23. This will provide greater certainty for schools.
b) A process for schools, whereby if they consider their SNA allocation is in excess of the required care needs, to engage with the NCSE. Schools should contact their local NCSE Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO) to commence the process.
c) The exceptional review process undertaken by NCSE will remain in place throughout the 2022/23 school year, where schools can seek a review of their SNA allocations which will result in one of the following outcomes:
i. No change in the level of care need identified (and no change in the resultant SNA allocation);
ii. Increase in the level of care need identified (which if significant would see an increase in the SNA allocations to the schools) ;
iii. Decrease in level of care need identified in the school (which if significant would result in a reduction in SNA allocations as the care need could be managed with less resources than are currently allocated); In relation to outcome iii, the SNA allocation will be adjusted at the end of the relevant school term.
It is expected that schools will review and reprioritise the deployment of SNAs within mainstream settings and allocate resources to ensure those with the greatest level of need receive the greatest level of support. Providing access to SNA support continues to be based on primary care needs as outlined in DES Circular 0030/2014, circulars.gov.ie/pdf/circular/education/2014/30.pdf. Following such a review and reprioritisation, it is expected that a small number of schools, e.g. developing schools, may not have a sufficient SNA allocation to meet the needs of their students. These schools can apply to the NCSE for an Exceptional Review of their allocation.
Detailed information on the NCSE Exceptional Review process is published on the NCSE website: ncse.ie/application-for-sna-exceptional-review.
The NCSE will endeavour to respond to all applications for Exceptional Review received as expediently as possible and in that regard, it will prioritise applications from schools with no current SNA allocation and developing schools. The Exceptional Review process for mainstream allocations will be available to schools throughout the 2022/23 school year.
The NCSE has developed an appeal mechanism for schools who are not satisfied with the outcome of the Exceptional Review. Local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) will provide information and clarification to schools on the outcome where requested. Where schools wish to appeal the outcome of the review, they must do so using the prescribed form provided by the NCSE, ncse.ie/ncse-appeals-process
The NCSE have published the SNA allocations for the 2022/23 school year and they are available at ncse.ie/set-hours-and-sna-allocations
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.
1056. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, there are for a multi-denominational secondary school for the Pelletstown-Ashtown area in Dublin 7-Dublin 15. [30778/22]
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, 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.
As the Deputy may be aware, on the basis of demographic demand identified by my Department, Edmund Rice College was established in 2017 to serve the Castleknock_D15 and Carpenterstown_D15 school planning areas as a regional solution.
New schools established since 2011 to meet demographic demand are required, in the first instance, to prioritise pupil applications from within the designated school planning area(s) which the school was established to serve. This does not preclude schools from enrolling pupils from outside of the school planning area where they have sufficient places, rather it reflects the need to accommodate in the first instance the demographic for which the school was established.
Dublin 7 is in the Cabra_Phibsboro_Dublin 7 school planning area which is currently served by 8 post-primary schools. This includes Cabra Community College, which is under the patronage of City of Dublin Education and Training Board and Educate Together. It has a current enrolment of some 178 pupils in the 2021/2022 school year, is co-educational and multi-denominational in nature and provides for the local community.
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 Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council in respect of their Development Plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across the county.
1057. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Education if she will support a person (details supplied) with their recent application for an exemption from rule 64 (1) for the 2022-23 school year, given their circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30818/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSpecial schools funded by my Department are classified as primary national schools and are intended, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 64(1) of the Rules for National Schools, to cater for children and young persons with special educational needs from the age of 4 years until the end of the school year in which they reach their 18th year.
Special schools may however seek approval from my Department for an exemption from Rule 64(1) in respect of students over the age of 18 who are pursuing courses leading to accreditation on the National Qualifications Framework (e.g. Junior Certificate/LCA/FETAC 3).
A request for an exemption from Rule 64(1) can only be made by a school where:
1. The student is pursuing a course leading to accreditation on the National Qualifications Framework (e.g. Junior Certificate/Leaving Certificate Applied/FETAC 3)
2. The student requires one additional year in order to complete their course
3. Retaining the student in the school for another school year will not prevent a younger pupil being enrolled there
4. Plans are in place to transition the student to a post-school setting at the end of the additional school year
Special schools are invited each year to make applications for exemptions from Rule 64(1) in respect of pupils who meet the above criteria.
My Department received an application from the school for the student referred to by the Deputy, for an exemption from Rule 64(1) for the 2022/2023 school year. As the student in question did not meet the criteria for retention outlined above, it was not possible to approve the school’s application. The school has been notified of this decision. Any request for a review of this decision can be submitted to my Department by the school authorities.
1058. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education her Department's position on parents acquiring digital learning devices and specifically if they have the autonomy to purchase IT equipment despite the school (details supplied) having a recommended supplier; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30836/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am keenly aware of the challenges faced by educators and parents in relation to costs of digital technology, including tablets, and my Department continues to work to help support schools and families meet these costs. In 2017 a circular letter issued to schools with measures to be adopted to reduce the cost of school uniforms and other costs including such ICT devices: assets.gov.ie/12695/2045e7ccec684f72b55d93930e45372c.pdf
This circular also instructed schools to consult with parents and their school community on the issue of ensuring costs are reasonable for parents, and how to avoid costs acting as a barrier. This circular specified that wherever possible, generic rather than branded items should be specified (e.g. uniform, clothing, IT tablets, sports equipment etc.).
Decisions regarding the use and deployment of digital technology in schools is a matter for the Board of Management of each school. Schools are advised to consult with members of the school community including parents when planning for the introduction of digital technologies including devices with cost and other implications been fully considered by the Boards of Managements before a decision is made.
Schools, in conjunction with parents, are responsible for decisions on the use of digital technology, including tablet devices, laptops, and learning platforms, and how best to manage their integration into classroom practice reflective of their own context and requirements.
The Professional Development Service for Teachers Technology in Education (PDST-TIE) offers advice and supports to schools on digital learning. Advice sheets are available on digital technology in education, including on the adoption of laptops and tablets in schools.
The Digital Strategy for Schools 2027, which builds on the progress made under the previous Digital Strategy, will be underpinned by an investment of some €200m subject to the available exchequer funding, and was included in the National Development Plan 2021-2030. The first tranche of the successor Digital Strategy ICT grant funding issued to schools in December 2021. This funding issued directly to schools as schools are best placed to identify the requirements of their own student cohort and to meet those requirements in the most appropriate way. This can include the purchase of ICT devices such as tablets, hybrid devices, or laptops.
In addition, the Department as part of Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) under Next Generation EU funding facility, issued a once-off grant of €50million in December 2021 to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme in order to support those learners at risk of educational disadvantage through the digital divide,
Details of the Grant Scheme for EU NRRP Funding to schools to address the digital divide, and learners at risk of educational disadvantage which can be found at:
www.gov.ie/en/circular/b4fea-grant-scheme-for-eu-nrrp-funding-to-schools-to-address-the-digital-divide-and-learners-at-risk-of-educational-disadvantage/
This funding issued directly to schools as they were best placed to determine the needs of their own students and have autonomy to do so, within the criteria applying to this funding.
1059. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education the total number of first-year secondary school places available in schools across Lucan, County Dublin; if her attention has been drawn to the large waiting lists for first-year placements in the area; and if her Department has plans to increase resources for existing schools to ensure increased placements for children in the locality. [30851/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
My Department's projections of post primary school place requirements in Lucan show an anticipated continued growth in enrolments in the short- to medium-term. The Department is aware of some local pressures and demand for additional post-primary school places in a number of school planning areas across the country, including the Lucan school planning area.
However, 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/patrons. In that context, similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, the Department is engaging with school patron bodies/school authorities to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate action including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions.
There are 8 post primary schools in the Lucan school planning area and building projects are proposed, in train or have been delivered as outlined :
St Joseph's College RN 60263V - a major building project for an extension/refurbishment, which will provide capacity for 1,000 pupils is currently at Stage 3 (tender stage). In the interim, six prefabs were approved in October 2021 pending the delivery of the major project and are now on site .
Griffeen Community College RN 76454S - a major project is currently at Stage 2b which will ultimately provide capacity for 1,000 pupils in the school. Nine modular classrooms have recently been approved pending the delivery of the major project .
St Kevin's Community College RN 70042L - Four modular classrooms were approved in September 2021 and are now on site.
Lucan Community College RN 70080T - a major project comprising an extension / refurbishment is currently at Stage 2b and when completed, will provide capacity for 1,000 pupils.
Coláiste Cois Life RN76065H - 7 modular classrooms + Specialist rooms were approved in September 2021 and are now on site.
Coláiste Phádraig RN 60264A - my Department has recently approved grant to the school to provide additional specialist accommodation.
Adamstown Community College RN76097U - a new 1,000 pupil post primary school has been constructed for this school.
Kishogue Community College RN 76152C - a new 1,000 pupil post primary school has been constructed for this school.
The annual admissions notice for each of the schools in the Lucan school planning area is available on the individual school website.
I understand that principals of schools in the area have had a number of meetings to establish an overall picture of school place requirements for the next academic year. My Department will continue to have close engagement with the relevant school patrons and authorities in order to monitor the situation and implement any solutions which may be required.
Additionally, my Department will continue to work to advance the planned and current projects in Lucan and to ensure sufficient places for both mainstream provision and for pupils with special education requirements both for the coming academic year and into the future. It is expected that the schools in the school planning area for Lucan can cater for the projected enrolment in the interim period pending the completion of the major projects.
1060. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide for the retention of a fifth classroom teacher at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will outline the appeal process a school may utilise to make a case for retaining teaching staff. [30852/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.
For the 2022/23 school year, the staffing schedule for primary schools has been improved by one point and schools will be provided with class teachers on the basis of 1 teacher for every 24 pupils which is a historical low ratio, with lower thresholds applying to DEIS Urban Band 1 schools.
The staffing process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. Details of the appeal process are available in Circular 25/2022.
1061. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Education if a primary school (details supplied) will receive funding for an additional teacher given that it has the number of students to allow for one, but will be forced to turn the students away if this is not approved. [30853/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.
For the 2022/23 school year, the staffing schedule for primary schools has been improved by one point and schools will be provided with class teachers on the basis of 1 teacher for every 24 pupils which is a historical low ratio, with lower thresholds applying to DEIS Urban Band 1 schools.
The staffing process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. Details of the appeal process are available in Circular 25/2022.
