Pearse Doherty
Ceist:226. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education when a reply will issue to correspondence (details supplied) relating to a school transport issue. [46582/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport
Ceisteanna (226)
Freagraí scríofa
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.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres 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, but who completed the application process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
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.
Given the unprecedented demand for school transport for the upcoming school year there has been an increased volume of correspondence and calls both to Bus Éireann and to School Transport Section of the Department.
Bus Éireann previously confirmed to the families that a review of the routed mentioned by the Deputy was carried out, and confirmed the route cannot be amended to facilitate concessionary transport for non-eligible children.
I have asked Bus Éireann for a report on the matters raised, a response will issue to the Deputy in the coming days.
Education Policy
Ceisteanna (227)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:227. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if he will seek additional detail on the research and evidence upon which a statement (details supplied) by the interdepartmental group that decides on the school starting age policy relies upon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46589/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
School starting age is a policy matter under the remit of my Department. Children can be enrolled at primary school from the age of 4 upwards and must have started their formal education by 6 years of age. The upper age limit in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, which was recommended to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth by my Department, ensures that children transition into primary school with their peers and limits the age range of children beginning primary school. Limiting the diversity in age ranges in primary school is considered to be generally in the best interest of children, in relation to peer interaction in junior infants, as well as other educational considerations.
An Inter-Departmental Working Group (IDWG) on Future Investment in Early Years and School-Age Childcare was established in 2015 by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to identify and assess policies and future options for increasing the affordability, quality and supply of early years and school-age childcare and education services in Ireland.
The establishment of the IDWG was a key component of Ireland’s response to the European Councils’ 2014 Country Specific Recommendation to Ireland. The final report of the group was informed by national and international evidence as well as open policy debate and public consultation, and was published in July 2015.
The report provided a platform for discussion on future investment and set out a number of options and recommendations for the consideration of Government. One of the recommendations proposed by the IDWG was the extension of pre-school provision for all children which considered the most appropriate upper age limit for the ECCE programme, in line with the evidence regarding school start and the importance of children being in an age-appropriate peer group. Following consideration of the IDWG recommendations and on advice from officials in my Department the upper age limit of the ECCE programme was set at five years and six months.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (228)
Denise Mitchell
Ceist:228. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education if there are plans in place to build new secondary schools in Dublin 5, Dublin 13 and Dublin 17, or to expand capacity of existing schools in the coming year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46590/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In 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. The areas of Dublin 5, 13 and 17 are managed under the following school planning areas:
- Dublin 5 – Beaumont_Coolock SPA and Killester_Raheny_Clontarf SPA;
- Dublin 13 – Portmarnock SPA and Donaghmede_Howth_D13 SPA;
- Dublin 17 – Darndale_D17 SPA, Portmarnock SPA, Beaumont_Coolock SPA, Donaghmede_Howth SPA and Malahinde_Nevinstown SPA.
Major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter demand in that area. In that regard, as part of the demographic exercises, my Department engages with each local authority to obtain the up-to-date data on significant new residential development in each area. My Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity within the particular area and its ability to meet 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.
The following building projects in post primary schools in the Dublin 5,13,17 areas will provide additional capacity and are at various stages of architectural planning:
- Ellenfield Community College RN 70321 (formerly known as Margaret Aylward Community College) - Major Project to deliver 1,000 pupil school + 4 SEN Base - currently at Project Brief Stage.
- St Paul's College RN 60290B - Additional Accommodation which includes 2 SEN Classrooms, Specialist rooms which includes Construction, Music, Art , Home Economic Rooms + Prep Rooms - currently at Project Stage 1.
- Ard Scoil La Salle RN 60291D - Additional Accommodation which includes 2 SEN Classrooms + 1 Music Room - currently at Project Stage 1.
- Mount Temple Comprehensive School RN 81002K - Major project to deliver 1,000 pupil school - currently at Project Stage 2b.
- St Mary's Secondary School RN 60021U - Refurbishment of existing accommodation to provide Home Economics Room and additional toilets- currently at project Stage 4
- Santa Sabina RN 60380C - Project to provide 4 classrooms, 2 DCG Rooms, 4 SET Rooms, 1 Science Lab + Prep Area, 2 Technology rooms + Prep Area, 2 Classroom SEN Base - currently at Project Stage 1
- Belmayne ETSS RN 68346T - Project to deliver 1,000 pupil school - currently at Project Stage 4-
- Gaelscoil Reachrann RN 76085N - Project to deliver 600 pupil school - currently at Project Stage 3
- Grange Community College RN 70020B - Project to deliver 1,000 pupil school - currently at Project Brief Stage.
My Department is satisfied that capacity demand in 2022 and beyond can be accommodated by the existing post primary schools.
My Department will keep the pace of delivery of additional residential development in the school planning areas, along with updated enrolment data and demographic data under review. This will inform any future decisions regarding school capacity in the area.
School Staff
Ceisteanna (229)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:229. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education if she will seek to reverse the decision to make the positions of one full-time permanent teaching post and three SNAs redundant at a school (details supplied) to maintain future need for the school given its wide catchment area and planned move to Mullingar; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46593/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
I have asked my officials to liaise with the NCSE regarding the revised staffing arrangements at the school.
A further response clarifying the situation will issue to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
School Accommodation
Ceisteanna (230)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:230. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education the current situation regarding the development of much-needed works for a school (details supplied) following numerous requests to her Department from the school principal; and the timeframe for when these works will commence. [46618/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The school to which the Deputy refers to was approved funding under the Additional Accommodation Scheme 2021 to build 2 X SEN Base Classrooms & Reconfiguration Works to provide 2 Special Class Spaces.
I can confirm that my Department has received a Stage 1/2A report from the school. This report is currently being reviewed by officials in my Department. A decision will be conveyed to the school authority as soon as this review has been completed, with a view to progressing this project to the next stage of architectural planning as soon as possible.
School Facilities
Ceisteanna (231)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:231. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education the grant funding that is available under her Department for a new-build sports hall or multi-purpose hall for a school (details supplied); the timeframe for grant funding applications; the criteria for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46626/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has no current record of receiving an application for additional school accommodation (ASA) from the school in question.
Almost 80% of the post primary schools that made 2020 Annual Schools Returns have indicated to the Department that they have a PE Hall. A further 10% have indicated that they have access to a nearby PE Hall and 5% more have projects in train that will deliver a new PE Hall. At primary level, over 60% of schools indicated that they currently have a GP room. In total 70% of primary schools either have a GP room or access to a nearby facility for GP use and a further 3% of primary schools have projects in train which will deliver a new GP room. Practically all schools have outdoor play areas and many schools, use adjacent local facilities, including community halls, public parks, playing fields and swimming pools.
Investment and expenditure on GP rooms and PE Halls is an element of the overall expenditure and investment in the School Building Programme. The provision of GP rooms/PE Halls, at primary and post primary level respectively, and outdoor hard play areas form part of the accommodation brief for all new school buildings or where a major building or refurbishment project is being delivered for an existing school.
The main focus of resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics particularly at post-primary level and for special education needs provision. The Deputy will appreciate that the immediate priority of my Department is providing new and replacement school places each year, to ensure that every child has a school place.
However, the second half of the National Development Plan period will see an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock. This will include a PE Hall build and modernisation programme to ensure that students in all post-primary schools have access to appropriate facilities to support PE provision. The ancillary accommodation needs of primary schools, such as General Purpose rooms will also be considered.
It is open to the school authority to make an application for additional accommodation through the ASA scheme which is available at www.gov.ie.
After-School Support Services
Ceisteanna (232)
Patrick Costello
Ceist:232. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education if her Department will author a policy document advising schools on a way to establish after-school services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46629/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department's policy is to encourage the use of school buildings outside of school hours for community and recreational purposes, including after school services. The decision on the use of the school building is a matter for the owner of the building taking into consideration the needs of the school, staff and students.
As the Deputy may be aware, in October 2017 my Department published, in consultation with the representatives of school authorities, Guidelines on the use of School Buildings outside of School Hours. The purpose of these guidelines is to provide guidance to schools in relation to their current and potential future arrangements for the use of school buildings outside of school hour., including possible use for an after school service.
The guidelines are available on the www.gov.ie website at:
ca5b1787db1b47f98de31f57e977dad0.pdf (assets.gov.ie)
School Facilities
Ceisteanna (233)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:233. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education the funding applications that are open to a national school to apply for (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46639/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Summer Works Scheme operates on a multi-annual basis, with a category specifically for external works projects such as play areas and car parking.
It is envisaged that the next Summer Works Scheme will open for applications from schools in the latter half of 2022. My Department will announce the details of same in due course.
School Enrolments
Ceisteanna (234)
Seán Haughey
Ceist:234. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education if she is satisfied that there will be enough post-primary school places available in the school planning area covering the Dublin 17 area; the planning which is currently taking place in this school planning area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46642/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In 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. The Dublin 17 area is managed under the Beaumont_Coolock SPA and the Donaghemede_Howth SPA.
Major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter demand in that area. In that regard, as part of the demographic exercises, my Department engages with local authorities to obtain the up-to-date data on significant new residential development in each area. My Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity within the particular area and its ability to meet 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.
The following capital projects will provide additional accommodation in these identified SPAs as follows:
Beaumont_Cooloock SPA:
- Ellenfield Community College– Major project to deliver 1,000 pupils plus 4 SEN Base, at project brief stage. (Project Brief stage includes determining the project brief and schedule of accommodation)
Donaghmede_Howth SPA
- Belmayne ETSS– Design & Build Project, this will deliver a 1,000 pupils plus 4 SEN Base, the project is currently at Stage 4. (Stage 4 is the signing of the letter of acceptance to the successful contractor and commencement on site). The school opened in 2019 in interim accommodation.
- Gaelcholaiste Reachrann – New replacement school building to cater for a long term projected enrolment of 600 pupils – project at stage 3. (Stage 3 is the instruction for the project to proceed to Tender).
- St Fintan’s High School – Extension and Refurbishment to cater for a long term projected enrolment of 750 pupils - at project brief stage. (Project Brief includes determining the project brief and schedule of accommodation).
- Grange Community College – Project to deliver a long term projected enrolment for 1,000 pupils plus 4 SEN Base, at project brief stage. (Project Brief includes determining the project brief and schedule of accommodation).
My Department is satisfied that demand in the Beaumont_Coolock school planning area and the Donaghemede_Howth school planning area can be accommodated by the existing and planned schools in the area.
School Enrolments
Ceisteanna (235)
Paul McAuliffe
Ceist:235. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education her plans to provide additional school places in Santry, Dublin 9; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46644/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In 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, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is aware of increasing local pressures and demand for primary and post-primary school places in a number of school planning areas including school planning areas in Dublin 9.
Where data indicates that additional provision is required, 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 is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues through ongoing discussions with the relevant school authorities. In that context, similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies, including those of schools in Santry and Whitehall, to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate further action to that already in train, including the provision of modular accommodation where necessary.
Under Project Ireland 2040, my Department continues to make progress to increase the infrastructural capacity in the schools sector, in order to meet demographic and other demands. It is expected that the enrolment pressures in this, and other areas will reduce in the short-term as such planned additional capacity comes on stream and as demographic demand moves past its peak.
The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, including projects in the school planning areas in question, may be viewed on my Department's website at, www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
My Department is currently planning the delivery of a major campus project on the current Clonturk Community College site in Whitehall. The project will deliver two new 1,000 pupil post-primary schools and 1 new primary school (8 classrooms) on the Clonturk site. One of the new post- primary schools will be for Ellenfield Community College to replace their existing school. The new school will include a 4 classroom SEN Base. The other new post-primary school is a replacement school building for Clonturk Community College. The expanded post-primary schools will provide circa 1,200 additional co-educational, multi-denominational post-primary school places in North Dublin City.
The Department is currently developing the accommodation brief for this significant campus development and is engaging with the school patrons as part of this process.
The additional capacity being provided by all of these projects is intended to address projected future capacity requirements in the area.
Disadvantaged Status
Ceisteanna (236)
Paul McAuliffe
Ceist:236. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the status of the DEIS review for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46645/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In March I was glad to be able to announce a major expansion of the DEIS – Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools programme which means that, for the first time since 2017, the programme is being significantly expanded and eligible schools will now gain access to targeted supports to address educational disadvantage. This will add an additional €32million to my Department’s expenditure on the DEIS programme from 2023, bringing the 2023 allocation to in the region of €180million.
Schools were identified for inclusion in the programme through the refined DEIS identification model which is an objective, statistics based model. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme and the model has been applied fairly and equally to all schools.
The DEIS identification process aims to identify those schools with the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage or the highest proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds within a school. The model uses information from the school’s individual enrolment database and 2016 national census data as represented by the Pobal HP Deprivation index. The model takes into account the student cohort and the relative disadvantage within a given school. The DEIS identification model takes into consideration the significant educational disadvantage experienced by Traveller and Roma learners and by students residing in direct provision or emergency homeless accommodation.
A detailed paper on the refined DEIS identification model is available on gov.ie at www.gov.ie/en/publication/a3c9e-extension-of-deis-to-further-schools/#how-schools-were-selected-for-inclusion-in-deis
Schools that were not satisfied with the outcome following the application of the DEIS identification model to their school enrolment data were provided with the opportunity to have that outcome reviewed. The details of the Appeals process is outlined in Circular 0019/2022 which can be found on the gov.ie website. All appeals submitted have now been processed by my Department and schools have been notified of the outcome. The DEIS appeals process was applied fairly across all appellants and the results are final. My Department will continue to support schools to deliver high quality, inclusive teaching and learning to students and young learners.
It is important to note that the extension of the DEIS programme to new schools is just one phase of work in my vision for an inclusive education system which supports all learners to achieve their potential. While the DEIS programme supports those schools with the highest levels of concentrated educational disadvantage, I recognise that there are students at risk of educational disadvantage in all schools. Conscious of this, and recognising the need to target resources to those schools that need them most, the next phase of work will explore the allocation of resources to schools to tackle educational disadvantage. Part of this programme of work will involve consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
In addition to this, following the National Census 2022 held on the 3rd April last it is envisaged that an updated HP Deprivation Index will be generated by Pobal and will be available in Q3 of 2023. My Department will engage with Pobal in relation to this process. The updated HP Deprivation Index, when available, can be considered by my Department to inform future resource allocation to tackle educational disadvantage.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (237)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Ceist:237. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education if she will investigate the reason that a pupil (details supplied) who applied for a school bus ticket in April 2022 and who has been using the school transport service for the past four years and is paying for this service has been advised that there is no bus ticket despite the bus travelling the route on a daily basis at 50% capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46670/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 29th 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.
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.
There may be instances where there are empty seats on school transport services, particularly at the beginning of the school year some families may prefer to drop or collect their children from school for a period of time. This may continue on odd days throughout the school year too, based on the family circumstances.
It is recognised that all pupils issued with tickets will not travel every morning and every evening. In addition, certain after school activities may also result in pupils not travelling on certain days.
Bus Éireann organises for vehicles to be full to capacity with tickets based on applications received and based on the seating capacity of the vehicle. It is not feasible to issue additional tickets over and above the seating capacity of the vehicle which could result in a potential overload situation arising and all pupils not being carried on the service.
Bus Éireann has advised that the child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme but was unsuccessful in obtaining a seat on board a school transport service for the 2022/23 school year as they did not complete the ticket registration process by the closing date of 29th July. All existing services in this area are currently operating at capacity.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (238)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Ceist:238. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the way that a school can make an application for funding for a sensory room; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46671/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm to the Deputy, that when the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) sanction a special class in a school (primary or post-primary), school authorities can apply to my Department for capital funding to re-configure an existing spaces within the school building to accommodate the class and/or to construct additional accommodation under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA). ASA application forms are available on my Department’s website www.gov.ie. Similarly, where special schools are requested to expand provision or wish to refurbish existing facilities, they may also apply to my Department for capital funding to carry out these works.
The overall accommodation suite for students with special education needs would generally include ancillary accommodation such as a Central Activities Space, Multi Activity Room and Quiet Spaces as well as an outdoor Secure Play Area and Sensory Garden.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (239)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Ceist:239. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the details of the funding that is available to schools for the development or enhancement of facilities for special education; if programmes such as the minor works scheme could be expanded for the improvement of special education facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46672/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has a statutory function to plan and co-ordinate the provision of education and support services to children with special educational needs, in consultation with the relevant education partners and the Health Service Executive (HSE). This includes the establishment of special class and special school placements in various geographical areas where there is an identified need.
When the NCSE sanction a special class in a school (primary or post-primary), school authorities can apply to my Department for capital funding to re-configure existing spaces within the school building to accommodate the class and/or to construct additional accommodation under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA). ASA application forms are available on my Department’s website www.education.ie. Similarly, where special schools are requested to expand provision or wish to refurbish existing facilities, they may also apply to my Department for capital funding to carry out these works.
As the Deputy is aware a Minor Works Grant is payable to all primary schools. This grant provides good flexibility at local school level to make improvements to the physical infrastructure of school buildings, including enhancement of facilities for special needs pupils. The grant payment structure reflects the priority of supporting special needs provision with a grant rate for special needs students in special classes and special schools of 4 times the standard rate for mainstream students.
Other furniture and equipment grants available to schools who are setting up an ASD class include:
- Start up grant €6,500
- ICT grant €6,700
- Furniture grant €2,500
- Multi sensory room grant €7,000. (It can be awarded to a school who already has an ASD class but no multi-sensory room).
Oideachas trí Ghaeilge
Ceisteanna (240)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:240. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Oideachais cé mhéad duine i scoil Ghaeltachta a fuair díolúine ón nGaeilge ar an mbonnleibhéal agus ar an meánleibhéal, le 5 bliana anuas; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [46680/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Mar is eol don teachta, eisíodh Ciorcláin leasaithe ar dhíolúintí ó staidéar na Gaeilge i mí Lúnasa 2022. Tá Ciorcláin 2022 bunaithe ar athbhreithniú tosaigh ar chur i bhfeidhm chiorcláin 2019 agus bunaíodh iad ar aiseolas, comhfhreagras, Ceisteanna Parlaiminte, fiosrúcháin ón bpreas, agóidí dlíthiúla, achomhairc srl. Rinne ciorcláin 2019 leasú ar chiorcláin a bhí i bhfeidhm ó na 1990idí agus bhí na hathruithe a rinneadh bunaithe ar athbhreithniú an-chuimsitheach lena n-áirítear taighde a rinne an Chigireacht ar an gcur i bhfeidhm i scoileanna agus próiseas comhairliúcháin phoiblí ónar tháinig breis is 11,000 freagra ar an suirbhé agus os cionn 100 aighneacht scríofa mhionsonraithe. Thug ciorcláin 2019 aghaidh ar go leor de na saincheisteanna a ardaíodh agus chuidigh siad cothromas a bhaint amach maidir le deonú díolúintí.
Tá sé tábhachtach a rá nár cheart go mbeadh deonú díolúine ó staidéar na Gaeilge ina phríomhfhachtóir sa phleanáil do sholáthar teagasc oideachais speisialta do dhalta. Má dheonaítear díolúine, níor cheart go gcuirfeadh sé seo cosc ar an leanbh páirt a ghlacadh i ngníomhaíochtaí Gaeilge agus cultúrtha ag leibhéal a oireann do na riachtanais atá aige/aici. Tá sé de rogha ag daltaí a bhfuil díolúine ó staidéar na Gaeilge faighte acu gan an díolúine a fheidhmiú agus gan aon cheart a chailliúint maidir leis an díolúine a fheidhmiú sa todhchaí.
Go dtí 2019, bhain díolúintí ó staidéar na Gaeilge le gach scoil, lena n-áirítear na scoileanna sin ina bhfuil an Ghaeilge mar mheán teagaisc sa Ghaeltacht nó lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht. Ó 2019 tá sé ráite go soiléir gur i mbunscoileanna agus in iar-bhunscoileanna aitheanta atá ag feidhmiú trí mheán an Bhéarla amháin atá na ciorcláin le cur i bhfeidhm, agus dá réir sin nach féidir le bainistíocht scoile atá ag feidhmiú trí mheán na Gaeilge díolúine ó staidéar na Gaeilge a dheonú.
Ba chóir don teachta a thabhairt faoi deara, cé nach mbaineann díolúintí ó staidéar na Gaeilge le scoileanna ina bhfuil an Ghaeilge mar mheán teagaisc, leanann feidhmiú díolúintí ó staidéar na Gaeilge a deonaíodh faoi chiorcláin roimhe seo agus atá ag daltaí go deireadh a n-oideachas iar-bhunscoile. Ina theannta sin, má deonaíodh díolúine do dhalta sa bhunscoil de réir an chiorcláin ábhartha a bhí i bhfeidhm ag an am, ar chúiseanna riaracháin, déanfaidh an iar-bhunscoil é seo a chlárú freisin mar dhíolúine a deonaíodh le linn chéad bhliain rollaithe an dalta. Bíonn tionchar ag na tosca seo ar an líon scoláirí atá cláraithe le díolúintí deonaithe i mbliain ar leith.
Chruthaigh Acht na Gaeltachta 2012 bonn reachtúil don phróiseas pleanála teanga agus leagadh amach ann na limistéir a mheastar a bheith mar chuid de Ghaeltacht. Sa chomhthéacs sin, tá 132 bunscoil sa Ghaeltacht. (Rinneadh dhá scoil sa Ghaeltacht a dhúnadh nó a chónascadh ó 2017). As an 132 bunscoil sin, tá Béarla mar mheán teagaisc do gach nó go roinnt ábhar i 32 scoil. Ina theannta sin, tá gach dalta nó roinnt daltaí in 8 gcinn de na 29 iar-bhunscoil i gceantair Ghaeltachta á dteagasc trí mheán an Bhéarla. D’fhéadfaí díolúine ó staidéar na Gaeilge a chur i bhfeidhm do dhaltaí sna scoileanna seo faoi théarmaí Chiorcláin 2019 agus 2022. Do dhaltaí i nGaelscoileanna d’fhéadfadh go ndearnadh díolúine ó staidéar na Gaeilge a chur i bhfeidhm faoin gciorclán ábhartha suas go deireadh na scoilbhliana 2018/19.
Aithnítear freisin go bhfuil an Scéim Aitheantais Scoileanna Gaeltachta ag tacú faoi láthair le roinnt scoileanna rannpháirteacha atá i mbun aistrithe ó scoileanna atá ag feidhmiú trí mheán an Bhéarla go scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge. Má thuairiscíonn scoil atá páirteach sa Scéim Aitheantais Scoileanna Gaeltachta gurb é an Béarla teanga teagaisc na scoile, féadfaidh an scoil téarmaí an Chiorcláin cuí a chur i bhfeidhm.
I gcás daltaí i scoileanna speisialta agus i ranganna speisialta i scoileanna príomhshrutha, agus chun aitheantas a thabhairt don údarás atá tarmligthe ar údaráis bhainistíochta maidir le cinnteoireacht a dhéanamh ar riachtanais fhoghlama Gaeilge na ndaltaí ábhartha, ní gá iarratas foirmiúil ar Theastas Díolúine a dhéanamh. Dá réir sin beidh díolúine gan Teastas Díolúine ag daltaí i scoileanna speisialta agus i ranganna speisialta i scoileanna príomhshrutha. Déanfaidh údaráis bhainistíochta scoile/ranga speisialta, agus aon scoil phríomhshrutha ina rollaíonn dalta, díolúine dá leithéid ó staidéar na Gaeilge a thaifead cibé an bhfuil nó nach bhfuil an díolúine i bhfeidhm ag an am sin.
Díolúintí a deonaíodh in Iar-Bhunscoileanna atá lonnaithe sa Ghaeltacht sa tréimhse 2017-22:
|
Gach ábhar á múineadh do gach dalta trí mheán na Gaeilge |
10 |
|
Gan aon ábhar á múineadh trí mheán na Gaeilge |
324 |
|
Gach ábhar á múineadh do roinnt daltaí trí mheán na Gaeilge |
20 |
|
Roinnt ábhar á múineadh do roinnt daltaí trí mheán na Gaeilge |
29 |
|
Iomlán |
383 |
Díolúintí a deonaíodh i mBunscoileanna atá lonnaithe sa Ghaeltacht sa tréimhse 2017-22:
|
Roinnt ábhar trí mheán na Gaeilge |
12 |
|
Gach ábhar trí mheán na Gaeilge |
1 |
|
Gan aon ábhar trí mheán na Gaeilge |
6 |
|
Iomlán |
19 |
School Transport
Ceisteanna (241)
Niall Collins
Ceist:241. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education if a student (details supplied) will be accommodated on the school bus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46693/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
While the pupil in question is not attending their nearest centre, they are attending their second nearest Post Primary centre. The route in question is a new service that was due to commence at the start of the 2022/23 school year. However, Bus Éireann advise, this new service has not yet commenced due to delays in sourcing a contractor.
Bus Éireann further advise that an application for transport for the pupil referred to by the Deputy was received on time for this pupil for the 2022/23 school year, and once a contractor has been sourced to operate this service a ticket will issue to the pupil referred.