Written Answers Nos. 74-93
75. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for persons (details supplied) given that the application has exceeded the target issue date and date of travel is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34795/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra76. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a person (details supplied) given that the application has exceeded the target issue date and date of travel is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34798/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra77. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will urgently review passport applications (details supplied); if he will provide an update on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34852/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra81. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and applicants travel date is imminent. [34972/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 75 to 77, inclusive, and 81 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicant.
83. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and applicants travel date is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34977/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update as to the steps they must take to progress their passport application.
85. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education the reason some long-term public sector workers in the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board will not have their 32.5-hour contract restored, as agreed under the Haddington Road Agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34657/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEarlier this year, Government approved the Report of the Independent Hours Body in relation to the Haddington Road Agreement (HRA) hours worked by certain staff/grades in the public service.
The HRA hours were considered by the parties to the current public service pay agreement, Building Momentum, to be an outstanding matter to be resolved, and in this context, the Independent Hours Body, chaired by Kevin Mulvey was established to examine issues arising from the HRA hours.
The Independent Body's deliberations were informed by stakeholder engagement; detailed analysis of submissions received; and an assessment of the potential impacts of a reduction in working time across the public service in terms of service delivery and cost to the Exchequer.
The Independent Body recommended that working time is restored to pre-HRA levels for the majority of civil and public servants where working hours were increased in 2013. However, the Body has also recommended that there should be a standardised minimum full-time working week of 35 hours across the public service. Therefore the working hours, from 1 July 2022, will not be less than the level applied prior to the Agreement, or 35 hours, whichever is higher.
86. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education when a stage 2B report will be assessed for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34601/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis school referred to by the deputy has a project approved under the Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme for the following level of provision: 2 x 80m2 Mainstream & 1 x WC for Assisted Users & SWS External Environment - Playground & relocation of the percolation and septic tank. This project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority.
I wish to advise that the Department approved this project to proceed to tender stage in May 2021; Stage 2b was completed at that time. A Department official has recently clarified this issue with the school Principal.
It is a matter for the school and its design team to progress the tender competition as soon as possible. In this regard, the Department awaits the subsequent submission of a full Tender Report for review.
87. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the status of the transfer of lands to a school (details supplied). [34603/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department has previously approved an application for the school in question to provide resource teaching space.
My officials have recently been in contact with the school authorities regarding the possibility of providing accommodation for special education needs purposes at the school. The school site is confined and my Department is currently considering the options available in providing this accommodation at the school. My Department will be in direct contact with the school authorities when further information is available.
88. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education when the review of the school transport scheme will be completed; if there is any proposal to increase the current rates of payment for the remote transport grant in light of rising fuel costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34673/22]
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.
As the Deputy is aware, my Department commenced a review of the School Transport Scheme in February 2021. The review is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme and how it currently operates, its broader effectiveness and sustainability and that it adequately supports the provision of services to students and their families.
The review encompasses the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs and the Primary and Post-Primary School Transport Schemes in terms of how each element of the schemes currently operate, to include eligibility criteria, trends, costs and cost drivers, and overall effectiveness in meeting the objectives of the schemes.
The review will also examine the potential for integration of different strands of the scheme and a more co-ordinated approach with other Government Departments that also use transport services.
Following commencement of this review the Steering Group presented me with an initial interim report on eligibility with an examination of issues for mainstream pupils relating to the nearest and next nearest school. Following consideration of this report, I approved the extension of temporary alleviation measures in the current school year for transport for post-primary students who are otherwise eligible for school transport but are attending their second nearest school and have applied and paid on time.
Wider considerations relating to operation of the scheme are now taking place in the second phase of the review. As part of this phase of the review, the Department has conducted an extensive stakeholder engagement process. The Department is analysing the views of all relevant stakeholders so that they may be considered as part of the assessment and in informing policy on the future operation of the scheme. The Steering Group will continue to report to me on an interim basis as the review progresses.
89. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 557 of 21 June 2022, if she will re-examine the case as it falls within section 29 F(1) of the Education Act (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34679/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe appeal in question was made under section 29 [1][c][1] of the Act and was determined by an Independent Committee in accordance with the terms of the Act and the published procedures of the section 29 appeals process.
While it is open to all parties to an appeal to submit to the Appeals Committee any documents that they consider relevant to the appeal, it is a matter for the independent appeals committee to then consider and decide, in accordance with section 29 E (1) of the Act , which of those documents received the appeals committee consider relevant to the appeal in question and base their decision on those documents.
The decision of the appeals committee in this matter was issued to both parties and both parties were advised of the documents that the Appeals Committee took into consideration in making their decision.
An appeals committee’s final decision is binding on the parties and can only be challenged by either party to the appeal, by way of Judicial Review through the Courts.
Tusla Education Support Services (TESS) the Educational Welfare Service is the legal body which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school placement for their child. Contact details for TESS are available at the link, www.tusla.ie/tess/get-in-touch/, or by email at tessinfo@tusla.ie.
90. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she has received and is close to making a determination on an exceptional review application made by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34704/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would advise that the exceptional review process is managed solely by the NCSE.
As a result I have forwarded your query to the NCSE for their direct reply to you on the matter .
91. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if she will advise on the eligibility of school cleaners to avail of the cycle to work scheme considering that other school staff are able to avail of the scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34708/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates a Cycle to Work Scheme for members of the payroll operated by my Department, including Caretakers who are paid under the 78/79 scheme.
Boards of Management of schools are responsible for the employment of grant funded ancillary staff including cleaners. Funding to cater for these services is made available from my Department through the Ancillary Services and Capitation Grants.
The decision to operate a cycle to work scheme for grant funded ancillary staff is a matter for the Board of Management of each individual school .
92. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the number of deaf and hard of hearing children in each year in mainstream classes in primary and secondary schools. [34710/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra101. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the number of deaf and hard of hearing young people who sat the leaving certificate examination in each of the past five years. [34849/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra102. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the number of deaf and hard of hearing children in second, fourth and sixth class who completed STen tests in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years. [34850/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra103. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the average results achieved by deaf and hard of hearing children in second, fourth and sixth class in STen tests in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years. [34851/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 92 and 101 to 103, inclusive, together.
Enabling 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.
Please see below data for pupils enrolled in deaf schools. We have supplied data for academic years 2010-2011 to 2020-2021, the last year we have final enrolment data. We expect to publish the final enrolment data for 2021-2022 by the end of June 2022.
|
Academic Year (Enrolment) |
Roll Number |
Official Name |
Enrolment per Return |
|
2011 |
16864B |
ST JOSEPHS SPECIAL SCH |
53 |
|
2012 |
16864B |
ST JOSEPHS SPECIAL SCH |
53 |
|
2013 |
16864B |
ST JOSEPHS SPECIAL SCH |
54 |
|
2014 |
16864B |
ST JOSEPHS SPECIAL SCH |
54 |
|
2015 |
16864B |
ST JOSEPHS SPECIAL SCH |
56 |
|
2011 |
17944E |
ST MARYS SCHOOL FOR DEAF GIRLS |
72 |
|
2012 |
17944E |
ST MARYS SCHOOL FOR DEAF GIRLS |
59 |
|
2013 |
17944E |
ST MARYS SCHOOL FOR DEAF GIRLS |
59 |
|
2014 |
17944E |
ST MARYS SCHOOL FOR DEAF GIRLS |
59 |
|
2015 |
17944E |
ST MARYS SCHOOL FOR DEAF GIRLS |
62 |
|
2016 |
20495S |
Holy Family School for the Deaf |
124 |
|
2017 |
20495S |
Holy Family School for the Deaf |
125 |
|
2018 |
20495S |
Holy Family School for the Deaf |
130 |
|
2019 |
20495S |
Holy Family School for the Deaf |
140 |
|
2020 |
20495S |
Holy Family School for the Deaf |
139 |
|
2016 |
19719H |
MID WEST SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF |
27 |
|
2017 |
19719H |
MID WEST SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF |
25 |
|
2018 |
19719H |
MID WEST SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF |
29 |
|
2019 |
19719H |
MID WEST SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF |
35 |
|
2020 |
19719H |
MID WEST SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF |
35 |
Note: Figures are for those pupils enrolled in a school as per the Annual School Census date for the years provided. From 2011-2015 the data comes from the National School Annual Census and from the Primary Online Database (POD), 2016-2020. Academic year 2020-2021 is the last year we have final enrolment figures for. Roll numbers 16864B & 17944E were amalgamated to form Holy Family School for the Deaf, 20495s, beginning academic year 2016-2017.
The National Council for Special Education have provided us with the following figures for pupils supported by Visiting Teachers for deaf and hard of hearing children. In 2021 this included:
- Babies/pre-school/other: 658
- Primary School: 2,405
- Post Primary School: 1,721
- Special School: 607
- Total: 5,391
My Department do not have the number of Deaf and Hard of Hearing children in 2nd, 4th and 6th class who completed standardised testing and the Department does not release the results of standardised testing. Standardised testing results are provided to the Department in aggregate format.
The results of standardised testing can help schools to evaluate progress in literacy and numeracy, help to pinpoint areas for improvement and will support teachers in ensuring that literacy and numeracy learning experiences meet pupils’ needs. Results of any one standardised test should not be used in isolation, nor used as baseline data for predicting future achievements, nor for solely informing decisions regarding the provision of interventions or targets within learning plans for pupils. Information from ability tests, teacher observations, parental reports, as well as the views of the pupils are also very important aspects of a thorough assessment.
With regards to the number of deaf and hard of hearing young people who sat the Leaving Certificate in each of the last 5 years, this information is not readily available at this time. However, I have requested the information from the State Examinations Commission and this information will be forwarded to you separately.
93. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if she will consider allowing those who are in receipt of a medical card to use same to cover the cost of school transport even if they choose to attend a school outside of their catchment area, that is, the second nearest school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34713/22]
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.
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.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis, where seats are available after all eligible applicants have been accommodated on school transport services. A fee waiver does not apply to concessionary tickets.
As the Deputy is aware, the Department commenced a review of the School Transport Scheme in February 2021. The review is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme and how it currently operates, its broader effectiveness and sustainability and that it adequately supports the provision of services to students and their families.
The review encompasses the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs and the Primary and Post-Primary School Transport Schemes in terms of how each element of the schemes currently operate, to include eligibility criteria, trends, costs and cost drivers, and overall effectiveness in meeting the objectives of the schemes. The review will also examine the potential for integration of different strands of the scheme and a more co-ordinated approach with other Government Departments that also use transport services.
Following commencement of this review the Steering Group presented me with an initial interim report on eligibility with an examination of issues for mainstream pupils relating to the nearest and next nearest school. Following consideration of this report, I approved the extension of temporary alleviation measures for the 2021/22 school year for transport for post-primary students who were otherwise eligible for school transport but were attending their second nearest school and had applied and paid on time.
Wider considerations relating to operation of the scheme are now taking place in the next phase of the review which is currently underway. Decisions in regard to measures for the 2022/23 school year will be made shortly. The Steering Group will continue to report to me on an interim basis as the review progresses.
