Written Answers Nos. 1024-1043
1024. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the number of additional special needs assistants that have been hired since the formation of the Government by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44100/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) in our schools is at unprecedented levels.
Budget 2022 provides for an additional 1,165 SNAs to provide support to children with special educational needs. This will bring the total number of SNAs to 19,169 by the end of 2022. This represents an increase of 81% in SNA numbers since 2011 when 10,575 SNAs were working in our schools.
The availability of SNAs is critical to the inclusion of students with significant care needs in education and in school life.
SNAs carry out very important care functions for children with care needs in the school. The purpose of their role is to enable children with significant care needs to attend school and participate in school activities to the maximum possible extent.
The purpose of the SNAs in the classroom is to address the immediate physical care needs of the student and encourage their independence. Over time, with their assistance and support, students will become more independent and self-autonomous in these matters.
SNAs are whole school resources to be allocated to meet the needs of those students in greatest need.
The NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews. The Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations.
Where circumstances change during the course of the 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 ncse.ie/special-needs-assistants
When a school has been allocated an SNA, the Board of Management, as the employer, is responsible for filling the vacancy and the decision on whether to employ a full time SNA to fill a full time post or to employ an equivalent number of part time SNAs rests with the employer.
The NCSE publish statistics on SNA allocations to primary, post primary and special schools in tabular form, by county, for each school year, this information is available on their website, www.ncse.ie.
As the question relates to the allocation of supports by the NCSE the question will be referred to the NCSE for their direct reply.
1025. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the number of additional special class places that have been provided since the formation of the Government by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44101/22]
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. My Department and the NCSE continue to work very closely in planning for the delivery of new places required to meet forecasted demand.
I am satisfied that this more joined up approach is delivering. Through this intensive intervention, we have seen 383 new special classes open, bringing the total of special classes to 2535 opened nationwide for the 2022/23 school-year. The 383 new special classes for 22/23 is broken down by 253 at primary and 130 at post primary.
The list of classes for the 22/23 school year is available on the NCSE website (as of 6th July) and is available at the link below.
06Jul22_Special-Classes-for-publication-2022_2023.pdf (ncse.ie)
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 primary and post-primary schools. 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. Every support will be made available to schools to progress the opening of special classes in the shortest possible timeframe
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 you 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.
1026. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the number of additional teachers that have been hired since the formation of the Government by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44102/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe last academic year completed before the government was formed was 2019/2020. The attached compares the number of posts allocated by county in 2019/2020 with 2021/2022, the latest year for which we have data after the government was formed.
Teacher allocations to all second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to school managements annually and are available on the Department website. In accordance with these rules, each school management authority is required to organise its subject options within the limit of its approved teacher allocation.
Data on the teaching allocation posts for all primary and post-primary schools is published regularly, and the figures for 2019/2020-2021/2022 are attached to this response.
Primary
|
County |
Total posts allocated 2019/2020 |
Total posts allocated 2021/2022 |
Additional posts in 2021/2022 |
|
Carlow |
477 |
493 |
16 |
|
Cavan |
623 |
646.4 |
23.4 |
|
Clare |
887 |
926 |
39 |
|
Cork |
4235 |
4424 |
189 |
|
Donegal |
1243.5 |
1288.9 |
45.4 |
|
Dublin |
9240.8 |
9674 |
433.2 |
|
Galway |
2093 |
2159.2 |
66.2 |
|
Kerry |
1070 |
1104.2 |
34.2 |
|
Kildare |
1752.8 |
1821 |
68.2 |
|
Kilkenny |
655.8 |
674 |
18.2 |
|
Laois |
731 |
755.9 |
24.9 |
|
Leitrim |
229 |
249 |
20 |
|
Limerick |
1561 |
1627 |
66 |
|
Longford |
375 |
394.5 |
19.5 |
|
Louth |
1073.8 |
1125 |
51.2 |
|
Mayo |
984.3 |
1026.5 |
42.2 |
|
Meath |
1559 |
1628 |
69 |
|
Monaghan |
496 |
516 |
20 |
|
Offaly |
672 |
705 |
33 |
|
Roscommon |
528.5 |
559 |
30.5 |
|
Sligo |
478 |
490 |
12 |
|
Tipperary |
1241.8 |
1301.5 |
59.7 |
|
Waterford |
888 |
918 |
30 |
|
Westmeath |
734 |
762 |
28 |
|
Wexford |
1176 |
1209 |
33 |
|
Wicklow |
1099 |
1157 |
58 |
Post primary
|
County |
Total posts allocated 2019/2020 |
Total posts allocated 2021/2022 |
Additional posts in 2021/2022 |
|
Carlow |
447.73 |
494.51 |
46.78 |
|
Cavan |
412.83 |
477.73 |
64.9 |
|
Clare |
660.97 |
722.81 |
61.84 |
|
Cork |
3461.24 |
3748.7 |
287.46 |
|
Donegal |
1116.07 |
1183.61 |
67.54 |
|
Dublin |
6877.35 |
7614.41 |
737.06 |
|
Galway |
1668.04 |
1811.9 |
143.86 |
|
Kerry |
892.19 |
986.58 |
94.39 |
|
Kildare |
1449.15 |
1584.06 |
134.91 |
|
Kilkenny |
606.98 |
647.57 |
40.59 |
|
Laois |
453.2 |
510.68 |
57.48 |
|
Leitrim |
229.12 |
234.41 |
5.29 |
|
Limerick |
1233.97 |
1365.4 |
131.43 |
|
Longford |
367.44 |
348.96 |
-18.48 |
|
Louth |
972.17 |
1044.66 |
72.49 |
|
Mayo |
839.63 |
902.53 |
62.9 |
|
Meath |
1132.05 |
1274.06 |
142.01 |
|
Monaghan |
410.55 |
459.83 |
49.28 |
|
Offaly |
592.67 |
556.27 |
-36.4 |
|
Roscommon |
357.11 |
357.48 |
0.37 |
|
Sligo |
409.56 |
439.91 |
30.35 |
|
Tipperary |
1384.93 |
1168.51 |
-216.42 |
|
Waterford |
811.54 |
776.53 |
-35.01 |
|
Westmeath |
649.89 |
697.07 |
47.18 |
|
Wexford |
1282.58 |
1123.34 |
-159.24 |
|
Wicklow |
913.05 |
1031.3 |
118.25 |
It should be noted that the allocation for 2022/2023 school year is not complete, but will be finalised later in the year.
1027. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a breakdown of the expenditure on new school buildings and refurbishment of existing buildings since the formation of the Government by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44103/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo ask the Minister for Education if she will provide a breakdown of the expenditure on new school buildings and refurbishment of existing buildings since the formation of the Government by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Under Project Ireland 2040, the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025. This significant investment allows us to move forward with certainty on our ambitious plans and deliver high quality building projects, with a real focus on sustainability, for school communities across Ireland. This investment will build on the good progress being made on adding capacity to cater for demographic changes and provision for children with special educational needs. This investment will also facilitate an increased focus on the modernisation of existing school stock and help transition the school system for an era of net zero carbon by 2050.
My Department has a large pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme. The main elements of this pipeline currently involve in excess of 1,300 school building projects for delivery under the Department’s Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme. These projects are currently in progress across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction. Most of which are expected to be either under construction or completed in the period up to 2025.
There are currently in excess of 300 school building projects at construction (on site) with a continuous stream of other projects at or near the tendering stage.
It is envisaged that the Department will deliver between 150-200 school building projects per annum between 2022-2025 period.
During the period 2018 to 2021 691 school building projects were completed under the Large Scale Capital Programme (LSCP) and the Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA). These projects delivered in excess of 64,000 school places.
A list of all capital projects completed under the Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme, in county order, from 2010 to date may be viewed my Department’s website at www.education.ie.
In addition, the current status of all projects is also listed on a county by county basis on the website. This is updated on a monthly basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
In addition to that, my Department operates a multi-annual Summer Works Scheme, Emergency works Scheme, Pathfinder Programme and Minor Works Grant Scheme which together aim to improve and maintain school buildings.
The attached table shows the total capital expenditure under the School Building Programme for each county since the formation of the Government.
|
County |
Total |
|
Carlow |
13.8 |
|
Cavan |
26.8 |
|
Clare |
39.8 |
|
Cork |
232.7 |
|
Donegal |
59.3 |
|
Dublin |
472.9 |
|
Galway |
64.8 |
|
Kerry |
47.8 |
|
Kildare |
144.4 |
|
Kilkenny |
24.9 |
|
Laois |
25.5 |
|
Leitrim |
4.5 |
|
Limerick |
56.0 |
|
Longford |
14.4 |
|
Louth |
32.6 |
|
Mayo |
59.5 |
|
Meath |
93.0 |
|
Monaghan |
21.9 |
|
Offaly |
18.1 |
|
Roscommon |
20.3 |
|
Sligo |
12.7 |
|
Tipperary |
56.9 |
|
Waterford |
44.6 |
|
Westmeath |
30.5 |
|
Wexford |
52.7 |
|
Wicklow |
74.8 |
1029. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education her plans to urgently increase capacity on the school transport scheme given the increase in demand for the 2022/2023 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44172/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1037. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the steps that she is taking to address a matter in which concessionary school transport pupils have had their service withdrawn due to an oversubscription of eligible pupils due to the premature Government announcement of the removal of school bus charges; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some families have been availing of these concessionary services for over a decade until the withdrawal of services in August 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44183/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1029 and 1037 together.
School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were 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.
In July 2022, Government announced funding for the waiving of school transport scheme fees for the coming school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures.
Ticket registration for the 2022/23 school year closed on 29 July by which time almost 130,000 applications/registrations were received for mainstream school transport. This figure includes 44,299 new applications as well as roll-overs from the previous school year.
As of 1st September 2022, 121,000 tickets for the 2022/2023 school year have been issued to applicants for the new school year. This is a significant increase on the number on tickets issued in the 2021/2022 school year. Additional transport and drivers have been secured to cater for this increased demand for services.
Bus Éireann will continue to process applications and to issue tickets as soon as extra buses and drivers are sourced and become available to provide transport for the higher numbers qualifying for the service. However, regrettably the unprecedented numbers of new applications for the upcoming school year, has led to some delays in issuing tickets.
The normal eligibility criteria of the scheme still apply.
Pupils at primary level are eligible where they live no less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest primary school.
At post-primary level students who live no less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre are deemed eligible.
All children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time and who confirmed to Bus Éireann that they require a ticket by the 29th July 2022 will be accommodated on school transport services for the 2022/23 school year where such services are in operation.
In addition, pending completion of the outcome of the full review of the School Transport Scheme, Temporary Alleviation Measures at post-primary level be continued for the 2022/2023 school year. Under these measures, which were initially introduced in 2019, transport will provided for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and who applied by the 29th April and registered for a ticket by the 29th July.
Any pupils/students who do not meet these criteria are deemed not eligible, or otherwise known as concessionary, applicants and are allocated a ticket based on the availability of a seat on when all eligible children have been catered for.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible pupils/students and the priority of providing places for eligible ticket holders, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Bus Éireann is continuing to work through remaining applications and families will be contacted as further information is available.
1030. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the engagement that she has had with Bus Éireann with regard to extending eligibility for bus drivers on the school transport scheme over the age of 70 years, subject to a medical assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44173/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the past school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were 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.
My Department officials engage with Bus Éireann staff on a daily basis with regard to the operation of the School Transport Scheme. In addition, quarterly strategic, and monthly operational meetings are held throughout the year.
Agreed Performance Indicators for the operation of the scheme are set out in the Service Level Agreement and this forms the basis of the regular meetings held between the Department of Education and Bus Éireann.
Officials also hold regular meetings as the need arises which include but is not limited to: planning for additional school transport places, the management of transport provision for children arriving from Ukraine, the implications that increasing fuel costs may have on the provision of school transport services and the estimated cost to the scheme of waiving the school transport annual ticket charge.
It is Bus Éireann company policy that normal retirement age for all Bus Éireann staff is currently 66 years. However Bus Éireann part-time School Bus Drivers and drivers nominated by private operators who operate service as part of the School Transport Scheme may continue to perform in the role provided they hold the requisite license and satisfy an annual medical examination until they retire at age 70. This policy and criteria is applied to all drivers who provide school transport services on behalf of Bus Éireann equally.
The age limit on school bus drivers was increased to 70 years a number of years ago. While Bus Éireann have informed the Department there is no plan to increase the age limit further at this time, the matter will continue to be kept under review.
1034. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the status of the review of the school transport scheme; the terms of reference of the review; the timeline for the completion and publication of the review; the details of all meetings held by the review group to date; if minutes are taken in respect of these meetings; if so, her plans to publish them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44177/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1035. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the membership of the school transport scheme review steering group; the details of all interim reports that have been received to date from the review steering group; her plans for the publication of same; the details of all meetings held by the steering group to date; if minutes are taken in respect of these meetings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44178/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1036. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the membership of the school transport scheme review technical working group; the details of all meetings of the technical working group to date; if minutes are taken in respect of these meetings; if so, her plans to publish them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44179/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1034, 1035 and 1036 together.
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
In July 2022, Government announced funding for the waiving of school transport scheme fees for the coming school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures. Ticket registration for the 2022/23 school year closed on 29 July by which time almost 130,000 applications/registrations were received for mainstream school transport. This figure includes 44,299 new applications as well as roll-overs from the previous school year.
School transport is a hugely important service for families. As you are 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, its broader effectiveness and sustainability, and to ensure that it serves students and their families adequately.
The scope of 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. The review will consider issues such as climate action, supporting rural development and promoting where possible initiatives that encourage walking and cycling to school.
The Technical Working Group comprises of representatives from my Department’s School Transport Section, Special Education Section, Central Policy Unit, Finance Section and Statistics Section. The Group also includes representatives from the National Council for Special Education and Bus Éireann.
The Steering Group members comprises of representatives from my Department’s School Transport Section, Special Education Section, Central Policy Unit and Finance Section. The Group also includes representative from the National Council for Special Education, Bus Éireann, the National Transport Authority, the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
The Working Group and the Steering Group are chaired by the Department of Education.
Following commencement of the review the Steering Group presented me with an initial interim report in June 2021, with regard to eligibility and with an examination of issues for mainstream pupils relating to the nearest and next nearest school. Following consideration of this report, for the 2021/2022 school year, I approved the extension of temporary alleviation measures 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. These measures will be continued for the current school year, pending completion of the review and means transport will be provided for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and who applied by the 29th April and registered for a ticket by the 29th July.
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 Technical Working Group has undertaken extensive consultation; including running a public survey for parents/guardians and students who use the service and those who do not use the service but who would like to. The Group has also consulted with a broad array of stakeholders including schools, special education interest groups, industry representatives and other Government Departments.
Since the review commenced, the Technical Working Group has met on 11 occasions and the Steering Group has met on 5 occasions. All meetings are minuted.
The Steering Group will continue to report to me on an interim basis as the review progresses.
While work on the review is being impacted somewhat by challenges including the pandemic and the impact on resources arising from the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, it is anticipated that the completion of the final phases of the review will be in the shortest timeframe possible.
1038. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education the reason that a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11 was allocated zero complex needs hours; the way that the National Council for Special Education arrived at this decision; if this decision will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44190/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
The Special Education Teacher (SET) Allocation model was introduced in 2017 to allocate the total number of available SET posts on the basis of the educational profile of each school and replaced the previous diagnosis led approach for the allocation of additional teaching time to students with special educational needs and is a more transparent and equitable way of allocating teaching resources to schools.
School profiles have now been updated to take account of the latest available data including enrolments and the resulting allocations are effective from September 2022 and will remain in place for two years.
The allocation of special education teachers to mainstream schools is based on a school’s educational profile, which comprises two components:
- Baseline component provided to every mainstream school to support inclusion, assistance with learning difficulties and early intervention, and
- A school educational profile component, which takes into account:
- The number of pupils with complex needs enrolled to the school.
- The learning needs of pupils as evidenced by standardised test results for literacy and numeracy.
- The social context of the school including disadvantage and gender.
- A value is applied for each student counted in the complex need category in each school. The data for the complex needs component is now sourced from the HSE Children Disability Network Teams (CDNT) for children who are entering junior infants who have had an assessment or who have been put on a waiting list for assessment.
- Data has been received from the HSE (CDNT) on the number of new entrants with complex needs to primary schools and this data has been incorporated into the model.
- The HSE’s procedures for determining access to Children Disability Network Teams are outlined in the National Policy on Access to Services for Children & Young People with Disability & Developmental Delay (HSE 2016) www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/4/disability/progressing-disability/pds-programme/documents/national-policy-on-access-to-services-for-disabilities-and-developmental-delay.pdf
- Access is based on the child’s functioning capacity across a range of domains, as opposed to being based on a formal diagnosis of disability.
- In cases where a school has no complex needs value in their allocation letter, this indicates that no complex needs value data was available to the model as no complex need data was returned for the school by the relevant CDNT.
- Circulars 20/2022 and 21/2022 provide further details in relation the components which make up a schools educational profile.
1039. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 1115 of 26 July 2022, the entitlement to school transport for students attending their second nearest school in the 2022/2023 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44226/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of my Department. In the past school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
In July 2022, Government announced funding for the waiving of school transport scheme fees for the coming school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures.
Ticket registration for the 2022/23 school year closed on 29 July by which time almost 130,000 applications/registrations were received for mainstream school transport. This figure includes 44,299 new applications as well as roll-overs from the previous school year.
Bus Éireann are processing applications and issuing tickets as soon as extra buses and drivers are sourced and become available to provide transport for the higher numbers qualifying for the service. However, regrettably the unprecedented numbers of new applications for the upcoming school year, has led to some delays in issuing tickets.
The normal eligibility criteria of the scheme still apply and tickets continue to be allocated in line with this criteria. Pupils at primary level are eligible where they live no less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest primary school. At post primary level, students who live no less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre are deemed eligible.
In line with normal practice, all eligible children who completed the application and ticket registration process on time for the 2022/2023 school year will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
In addition, pending completion of the outcome of the full review of the School Transport Scheme, Temporary Alleviation Measures at post-primary level will be continued for the 2022/2023 school year. Under these measures, which were initially introduced in 2019, transport will provided for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and who applied by the 29th April and registered for a ticket by the 29th July.
Any pupils/students who do not meet these criteria are deemed not eligible, or otherwise known as concessionary applicants, and are allocated a ticket based on the availability of a seat when all eligible children have been catered for.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
1040. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education if work has commenced on the Traveller Education Strategy which was committed to in the 2020 Programme for Government; the progress that has been made to date; and when the strategy will be completed and rolled out across the education system. [44232/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am committed to ensuring that actions to improve educational outcomes for Travellers are advanced in line with relevant Programme for Government commitments, including the commitment to develop a National Traveller Education Strategy.
Work is progressing on advancing a National Traveller Education Strategy, which will be informed by a range of work currently underway, including that under the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS). Examples of initiatives already underway include:
- A pilot project Supporting Traveller and Roma (STAR), which is underway in four areas with the aim of improving attendance, participation and school completion. An independent assessment of the project is due to commence this year and will feed into policy in this area;
- The refined DEIS identification model I announced in March of this year, which includes components to reflect the educational disadvantage experienced by students who have self-identified as Traveller or Roma;
- Work by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) to support teaching and learning of Traveller history and culture, which follows the 2019 audit of the curriculum in respect of Traveller culture and history. A fulltime Education officer has been employed in the NCCA to advance this work;
- Creation of a new post in the Professional Development Service for Teachers with a dual role in overseeing, developing and supporting CPD in diversity/social inclusion and in DEIS.
Officials from my Department, together with officials from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, engage with Traveller representative organisations as part of the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS) education subcommittee. This engagement will continue in the context of the development of the Traveller education strategy.
1041. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the status of the progress and timelines for delivery of new school accommodation for post-primary schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44236/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current status of the building projects for the schools referred to by the Deputy are as follows:
Holy Family Community School Rathcoole RN 91301D
A Major school building project for the construction of the new school building is at an advanced stage of the tender process. Subject to no issues arising during the remainder of the tender process it is envisaged that construction should commence in the first quarter of 2023 with a contract duration of approximately 35 months.
St Joseph’s College Lucan RN 60263V
The major school building project is currently at the construction stage. Works are due to commence on site shortly, with a contract duration of 29 months.
Griffeen Community College RN 76454S
The permanent building project for Griffeen Community College is being delivered under my Department's Design and Build programme. This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Manager to progress the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning, tender and construction.
An application for planning permission for a 1,000 pupil post-primary school building, including a 4 classroom Special Educational Needs Base, was submitted to the relevant Local Authority in June 2021. The Grant of Planning decision was received from the Local Authority on 24th February 2022.
The next step in the progression of this project is the preparation of tender documentation. Once this stage is complete, the project will then proceed to tender stage. It is intended that the project will be included in the next bundle of projects to proceed to tender later this year.
Lucan Community college RN 70080T
A major extension and refurbishment project for this school was recently authorised by my Department to proceed to tender. Assuming no significant issues arise during the tender process, the project should commence on site in the third quarter of 2023.
1042. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the status of progress and the timelines for the delivery of new school accommodation for schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44237/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current status of the building projects referred to by the Deputy are as follows:
Scoil Chronáin RN 19530H
The permanent school building project for Scoil Chrónáin has been assigned to my Department’s Design & Build delivery programme. This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Manager to progress the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning, tender and construction.
The planning application for Scoil Chrónáin was submitted to the local authority on the 18th August 2021 and the final grant of planning permission issued on 24th November 2021.
My Department is considering the timeline for the progression to tender of a number of Design & Build projects including the permanent accommodation for the school referred to by the Deputy and will advise the school's patron body further as soon as possible. In the interim, my Department will continue to liaise with the school's patron body in relation to the school’s accommodation needs pending delivery of the permanent accommodation.
St Thomas JNS & Scoil Áine SNS, Lucan RN 19542R & 19676P
The joint major building project for St Thomas JNS & Scoil Áine SNS will be delivered under my Department's ADAPT Programme.
ADAPT is an acronym which stands for the "Accelerated Delivery of Architectural Planning and Tendering".
The ADAPT Programme uses a professional external Project Manager to co-ordinate and drive the Design Team to achieve the best possible timeframe for the project through the stages of Architectural Planning to Tender and Construction.
Since their appointment in May 2022, the Project Managers and my Department have been engaging in fortnightly briefing meetings in respect of all the major school building projects included in this Programme, including St Thomas JNS & Scoil Áine SNS in Lucan.
The Project Managers are arranging to visit each of the schools on the Programme.
The process to appoint a Design Team will shortly be put in train by the Project Manager.
Divine Mercy JNS 19865S & SNS RN 20187H
The joint major building project for Divine Mercy Jnr & Snr schools is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning Stage 2(b) – Detailed Design. The Design Team are currently preparing a revised Stage 2(b) Submission including a new Planning Permission application which will include for the recently approved addition of a 2 Class SEN Base for both schools.
Upon receipt and review of the revised submission, my Department will be in contact with the schools regarding the further progression of this project, including pre-qualification of contractors.
Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcain (RN 19855P) & Gaelscoil na Camogie (RN 19991A)
The Large Scale Capital Project for the Clondalkin Schools Campus is currently at the tender stage. The project brief is for two 16 classroom primary schools and a new PE Hall for Coláiste Chilliain.
My Department authorised the Design Team to proceed to retender the project as the first tranche of tenders were deemed unviable. The Design Team applied for a new planning permission due to a change in the Planning Acts introduced by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in Sept 2021 which removed the option to extend a planning permission. The original planning permission expired in May 2022. A new planning application was lodged 18th August 2022 and will run in parallel with the new tender process.
Rathcoole ETNS RN 20549P
The permanent school building project for Rathcoole ETNS has been assigned to my Department’s Design & Build delivery programme. This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Manager to progress the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning, tender and construction.
The school and its patron body were advised by my Department in August 2021 that it would not be possible to proceed at that time with the proposed planning application for the school as South Dublin County Council had advised my Department of its intention to undertake a masterplan of the Rathcoole area, including the proposed school site.
The Council has concluded the masterplanning exercise and following consultation with the Council, my Department intends to proceed with a planning application for the school on the existing Department owned site.
A further pre-planning meeting with the Council was held on 30th June 2022 and the discussions from this meeting will now inform the progression of the design and the preparation of the planning application for Rathcoole ETNS on the school’s permanent site.
My Department will continue to provide suitable interim accommodation for the school until such time as the permanent accommodation can be delivered.
