Written Answers Nos. 341-350
341. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the upset that the new Junior Certificate specification for Irish has caused to students despite the fact that there has been an increased focus on wellbeing in the new junior certificate programme but Irish is cited to be causing stress and anxiety to students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33262/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra342. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education if the changes to the junior certificate Irish have been detrimental to the teaching and learning experience in Irish classrooms; the plans has she to address this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33263/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 341 and 342 together.
Following extensive stakeholder consultation, new L1 and L2 specifications for Junior Cycle Irish were introduced in September 2017. Due the disruption to learning and cancellation of the summer 2020 and 2021 Junior Cycle examinations as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic it was not possible for students to engage with the final assessment component which is set by the State Examinations Commission until this year. The cohort of students currently taking Junior Cycle examinations are therefore the first to have engaged with the full range of learning and assessment experiences in line with the specifications for Junior Cycle Irish.
As part of the ongoing cycle of curriculum redevelopment, the NCCA reviews the enactment of subject specifications by conducting interim reviews once each subject specification has been experienced across the three-year span of their Junior Cycle. The purpose of such reviews is to capture feedback from teachers, students and stakeholders on their experiences of the new specifications. In February 2021, the NCCA opened a public consultation on draft L1 and L2 specifications for Leaving Certificate (established) Irish. In response to subsequent stakeholder requests, the NCCA extended the timeline for this consultation and also undertook to conduct and early enactment review of the specifications for Junior Cycle Irish. Accordingly, the NCCA commissioned Dublin City University to conduct this review which I am advised is expected to be completed later this year. The draft report, will in due course, be presented to NCCA Council for consideration.
343. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education the reason that an adequate amount of sample papers for the new junior certificate Irish exam were not made available to teachers and students, considering that the one paper which was made available by the SEC was not in line with the actual 2022 exams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33264/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
344. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education the person or body that are the people making the decisions on the teaching of Irish in T2 schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33265/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is the role of the NCCA to advise the Minister for Education in matters relating to the curriculum for early childhood education, primary and post-primary schools and the assessment procedures employed in schools and examinations on subjects that are part of the curriculum. It participates in international networks, engages in research, prepares discussion papers and consultation papers, engages in development work with schools, provides policy advice, and prepares specifications for approval by my Department. Consultation with stakeholders is a key part of its work.
Following extensive stakeholder consultation, new L1 and L2 specifications for Junior Cycle Irish were introduced in September 2017. Due the disruption to learning and cancellation of the summer 2020 and 2021 Junior Cycle examinations as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic it was not possible for students to engage with the final assessment component which is set by the State Examinations Commission until this year. The cohort of students who have just this past fortnight taken Junior Cycle examinations are therefore the first to have engaged with the full range of learning and assessment experiences in line with the specifications for Junior Cycle Irish.
As part of the ongoing cycle of curriculum redevelopment, the NCCA reviews the enactment of subject specifications by conducting interim reviews once each subject specification has been experienced across the three-year span of their Junior Cycle. The purpose of such reviews is to capture feedback from teachers, students and stakeholders on their experiences of the new specifications.
In February 2021, the NCCA opened a public consultation on draft L1 and L2 specifications for Leaving Certificate (established) Irish. In response to subsequent stakeholder requests, the NCCA extended the timeline for this consultation and also undertook to conduct an early enactment review of the specifications for Junior Cycle Irish. Accordingly, the NCCA commissioned Dublin City University to conduct this review which I am advised is expected to be completed later this year. The draft report, will in due course, be presented to NCCA Council for consideration.
345. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education the current situation with respect to the proposed extension of a school (details supplied);; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33316/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that the school referred to has been approved for a project under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme 2020. This project has been devolved for delivery to Cork Educational Training Board and will provide for the following accommodation at the school; A Two Classroom SEN base, Seven General Classrooms, Two Science Labs with One Prep area, One Home Economics room, One Technology room with One Prep area and ancillary accommodation.
I can advise the Deputy that a Stage 1 Report has been submitted to my Department and is currently being reviewed by my officials. This review is nearing completion and correspondence will issue to the ETB regarding the outcome of the review in due course.
346. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education the target frequency for whole school evaluations; the current average time between such evaluations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33329/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Education Inspectorate employs a range of inspection models to ensure effective quality assurance and coverage of the school system. These include short, unannounced inspections and medium-scale evaluations which cover specific aspects of the work of schools, such as, the quality of learning and teaching in subjects and curriculum areas, the leadership of curriculum and assessment, the quality of engagement with children and young people and their parents, and the provision for children with special educational needs.
Comprehensive Whole-School type inspections, including both Whole-School Evaluations and Evaluations of Action Planning for Improvement in DEIS schools, are also included in the suite of evaluation models. This ensures that the Inspectorate can respond to particular quality assurance needs across the school system and provide evidence-based policy advice for Ministers taking school size and other context factors into account. Because of their significant scope and resource intensity, Whole school evaluations (WSE) are employed strategically rather than in accordance with a specific chronological cycle.
The strategic objective is to ensure that a balanced, national evaluation programme is delivered using a proportionate, risk-based approach to inspection. This approach informs inspection planning priorities in Early Learning and Care settings and in primary and post-primary schools, and it has contributed to improved inspection coverage, as well as more customised, risk-informed use of inspection nationally.
An inspection visit is conducted in primary and special schools at least once in four years, on average. Prior to the pandemic in 2018 and 2019 when the normal inspection programme was operating, a total of 1,646 inspections, including 218 whole-school evaluations, were carried out in the 3,241 primary and special schools in the country. (See Table 1 below).
An inspection visit is conducted in post-primary schools at least once in two years, on average. In 2018 and 2019, when the normal inspection programme was operating, a total of 1,264 inspections was carried out in the 730 post-primary schools in the country. (See Table 2 below).
During the pandemic, the Inspectorate continued to achieve a high level of coverage in its inspection and advisory engagements with schools in 2020 and 2021, notably through a customised inspection programme that included inspections to support the safe provision of schooling, incidental inspections and urgent inspections such as child protection and safeguarding inspections (CPSI). In 2020 and 2021, a total of 2,542 inspections was carried out in primary schools and special schools (Table 1). During the same two-year period, a total of 1,104 inspections was carried out in post-primary schools (Table 2).
The attached document provides the full text answer and the supporting tables.
347. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if there is a method outside of recommendations by a SENO that an appeal for special education transport would be heard. [33362/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
The purpose of the 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 National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) acts in an advisory role to my Department on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs.
Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).
Where a Parent/Guardian or pupils who have reached the age of 18 years, are dissatisfied by a decision made in relation to an application for school transport services, they can submit an appeal to the School Transport Appeals Board.
Appeals should be made on-line to the School Transport Appeals Board, who operate independently of the Department of Education. They provide an independent, accessible and fair appeals service with regard to decisions made by, or on behalf of, the Department of Education regarding the provision of school transport services and/or grant-aid under the terms of the School Transport Schemes .
Further information in relation to School Transport appeals can be found at www.schooltransportappeals.ie
348. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education if her Department has any concerns regarding the proposal in the Greater Dublin Area Cycle Network Plan to facilitate improved walking and cycling access to schools (details supplied) from Waterside along the reservation indicated in the Plan. [33390/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlanning permission for the Secondary School to which the Deputy refers has been granted and phase 1 of the building is currently under construction.
It is anticipated that the school will occupy the building in late August. There is no building project underway or planned for the primary school to which the Deputy refers.
My Department will shortly be applying for a further planning permission to relocate ball courts on the secondary school site.
As part of this process, the Local Authority has requested the introduction of a pedestrian and cycle path through the school site. Once planning permission is granted and works commence the installation of the pathway through the school site will be undertaken.
Any works related to footpaths and cycle paths outside of the school site fall under the remit of the local authority and are not a matter for my Department. My Department currently has no specific concerns regarding the wider walking and cycling access developments but these will be discussed with the Local Authority in the normal pre-planning consultation process for the ballcourts.
349. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education if she will increase the remote area grant for school transport in view of the cost-of-living crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33396/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
An eligible child for whom no transport service is available may, following an application for transport within prescribed time limits, receive a Remote Area Grant towards the cost of private transport arrangements. This grant is also payable for eligible children who may have to travel 3.2 kms or more to or from a designated pick up/set down point.
While there are currently no plans to increase the Remote Area Grant rates at this time, the Government announced a reduction in excise on fuel will resulted in a decrease in the cost of fuel. The reduction of 20 cent per litre on petrol and 15 cent per litre on diesel will be in place until 31 August at an estimated cost of €320m. This is a national measure aimed at easing the financial burden on contractors and families at this time.
350. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education the number of education welfare officers in each cluster in counties Kildare, Laois and Offaly in tabular form; the number of vacancies in each cluster; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33401/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla Education Support Service (TESS) comprises the School Completion Programme, Home School Community Liaison Scheme (HSCL) and the Educational Welfare Service (EWS). The EWS operates under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, which emphasizes the promotion of school attendance, participation and retention. The EWS deal with children and families who have difficulties in relation to school attendance, participation, retention. This is a statutory service and its primary role is to ensure that every child either attends school regularly or otherwise receives a certain minimum education, to ensure and secure every child’s entitlement to education.
In general when there is an EWO vacancy and a national panel in place, vacant positions are generally offered to those on the panel in the first instance. The recruitment campaign to establish a new national EWO panel is underway and will be in place by August 2022.
In the interim, where vacancies arise TESS management are meeting with the local school Principals and frontline staff to ensure that collaboratively all Home School Community Liaison (HSCL), SCP and EWS capacity is prioritised to provide interventions for children and young people in relation to school attendance concerns.
|
County |
EWOs in post |
Vacant EWO posts |
|
Laois |
2 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
1 |
1 |
|
Kildare |
1 |
3 |
