Tuesday, 27 Sep 2022

Written Answers Nos. 258-273

Departmental Correspondence

Ceisteanna (258)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

258. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education if a response will issue to correspondence (details supplied) that was sent to her by this Deputy on 26 April 2022. [46988/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

The road you refer to is currently being investigated by my Department's School Property Management section. The road is on land that has not yet been registered so, - at this point - , it is necessary to identify where actual ownership lies before any transfer can be considered. My Department has consulted with relevant parties including Donegal County Council, the school itself and the Chief State Solicitors Office (CSSO) in relation to this and is being treated as a priority.

Education Schemes

Ceisteanna (259)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

259. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 311 of 20 September 2022, the reason that the issue of applying for a remote grant lies with Bus Éireann, rather than with her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47004/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

The purpose of the Remote Area Boarding Grant scheme is to give students who are disadvantaged because of their remoteness from schools, an opportunity to attend school on the same basis as students not so disadvantaged.

The terms of this scheme are set out in Circular 16/2016 which is published on my Department’s website at www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0016_2016.pdf.

As set out in this circular, these grants are payable in respect of pupils whose normal place of residence is outside the range of public transport services to a school providing suitable free second-level education. Therefore, the advice of Bus Éireann, who operate the School Transport Scheme on behalf of my Department, is required in order to determine eligibility for the scheme.

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (260)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Ceist:

260. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the status of the delivery of an ASD class for a school (details supplied); if there has been a review of its DEIS band one status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47014/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education

I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:

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.

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 392 new special classes open, bringing the total of special classes to 2,543 opened nationwide for the 2022/23 school-year. The 392 new special classes for 2022/23 is broken down by 260 at primary level and 132 at post primary level.

In relation to the school specifically referenced by the Deputy, I am advised that the NCSE has not identified a requirement for a special class at this school as there are sufficient special class placements available in the area to cater for students with special educational needs requiring the support of a special class.

Schools were identified for inclusion in the DEIS 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. Following the processing of the appeal received from the school referred to regrettably there was no change to the outcome of the initial application of the refined DEIS identification model. The Department, however, will continue to support the school and the school community as they deliver high quality, inclusive teaching and learning to their 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 (261)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Ceist:

261. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education her plans to expand the eligibility criteria for school transport given the demonstrated need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47015/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

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.

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.

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.

Health Promotion

Ceisteanna (262)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

262. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a progress update on the Primary School Healthy Eating Education Programme as outlined in the Programme for Government. [47031/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

Work is ongoing in my Department in relation to how to best give effect to the Programme for Government commitment to establish a new Primary School Healthy Eating education programme, building on the existing wide range of provision in schools in the area of healthy lifestyles. This includes promotion of healthy lifestyle choices through the curriculum, where appropriate, for example, Physical Education and Social Personal Health Education (SPHE); through schools policy including healthy lunch policies; and by the use of resources and programmes chosen by the school. The Active School Flag (ASF) is one such programme. This work aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge to enable them to make the right choices for healthy lifestyles throughout their lives.

My Department supports Agri Aware’s Incredible Edibles programme, a healthy eating initiative for Primary School pupils, and The Food Dudes Programme, a healthy eating programme developed to encourage children to eat more fresh fruit and vegetables.

Throughout school, our young people are educated about the dangers of eating food which is unhealthy during their primary and second level education. The SPHE programme is a mandatory part of the curriculum in primary schools and in junior cycle. The programme is supported by comprehensive teacher guidelines and curriculum support services, which provide training and advice for schools, and also a resource directory.

In 2020 the NCCA established two development groups, one for primary and one for post-primary, to oversee the work in redeveloping the SPHE/RSE programme and support the development of guidance material for schools. An immediate focus of the work of the NCCA has been on creating support materials for teachers for publication online as part of an Interim Guidance Toolkit.

In tandem with this work, preparation for the broader redeveloping and updating of the SPHE curriculum is underway. Updated curricula will be developed for Primary, Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle. The Deputy may wish to note that the draft specification for Junior Cycle was published for consultation in July and includes a strand on making healthy choices. Public consultation on the updated junior cycle SPHE curriculum will conclude Oct 18th. I would encourage anyone with an interest in this topic – students, teachers, parents, stakeholder groups, any member of the public – to take the opportunity to have your views heard by contributing to this public consultation.

Following publication of the Primary Curriculum Framework, expected in early 2023, the NCCA will establish a development group which is due to commence development on updated primary specifications in Quarter 4 2022, with a draft estimated to be available for public consultation in Quarter 1 2024.

School Transport

Ceisteanna (263)

Alan Dillon

Ceist:

263. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education if transport will be provided to a student (details supplied) who is attending a school with no bus route; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47032/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

School 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, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. The cost in 2021 was over €289m.

Under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for transport where they are attending the nearest recognised school that is or can be resourced to meet their special educational needs.

The National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) acts in an advisory role to my Department on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs.

A pupil with special educational needs is eligible for school transport if s/he is attending the nearest recognised: mainstream school, special class / special school or a unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet the child's special educational needs under Department of Education and Skills criteria.

Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).

School Transport Section of my Department has not received an application for the child referred to by the Deputy under the terms of the school transport scheme.

Parents should contact their school principal who will assist in making an application for school transport to the SENO that is affiliated with the school the child is attending.

Further information in relation to School Transport can be found at: www.gov.ie/schooltransport

Departmental Reviews

Ceisteanna (264)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

264. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a schedule of the costs for all live studies, reviews and research projects undertaken or commissioned by her; and the details of the person or body that is conducting each study, review and research project, in tabular form. [47041/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

The schedule of the costs for all live studies, reviews and research projects in progress, undertaken or commissioned by my Department and the details of the person or body that is conducting each project is set out in the table below.

Title of current study/ review / research undertaken or commissioned	End Date	Person / Body conducting project	Total Costs
Research into the use of Reduced School Day	September 2022	Inspectorate, Department of Education	Work is conducted as part of the Inspectorate's normal inspection activity in schools being carried out in accordance with the inspection programme outlined in Circulars 0029/2022 and 0030/2022. The inspection work incurs routine travel and subsistence costs.
Research into the impact of CLASS hours	September 2022	Inspectorate, Department of Education	Work is conducted as part of the Inspectorate's normal inspection activity in schools being carried out in accordance with the inspection programme outlined in Circulars 0029/2022 and 0030/2022. The inspection work incurs routine travel and subsistence costs.
The review of educational provision in Hospital Schools	October 2022	Inspectorate, Department of Education	Work is conducted as part of the Inspectorate's normal inspection activity in schools being carried out in accordance with the inspection programme outlined in Circulars 0029/2022 and 0030/2022. The inspection work incurs routine travel and subsistence costs.
An Overview of School Provision for Irish-Medium Education outside of Gaeltacht Areas: Current Provision and Future Projections	October 2022	Intradepartmental Working Group for the Policy on Irish-medium Education outside the Gaeltacht, Department of Education	Work is conducted as part of the departmental staffs’ normal course of work and does not incur additional costs.
Review of the Teacher Artist Partnership Programme	October 2022	Sandra Roe and Dr. Annabel Egan	€30,750
Research and Evaluation of the Creative Youth programme “Arts in Junior Cycle	October 2022	Kevin McCarthy	€36,285
OECD Review of Calculated Grades and Accredited Grades	October 2022	OECD	€192,000
Impact of COVID-19 on teaching and learning	December 2022	Inspectorate, Department of Education	Work is conducted as part of the Inspectorate's normal inspection activity in schools being carried out in accordance with the inspection programme outlined in Circulars 0029/2022 and 0030/2022. The inspection work incurs routine travel and subsistence costs.
An Independent Review of Department of Education public funding to Music Generation	December 2022	Crowe Ireland	€85,774
Review 2013 Action Plan on Bullying	Q4 of 2022	Parents and Learners Unit, Department of Education	Work is conducted as part of the departmental staffs’ normal course of work and additional routine travel and subsistence costs may apply.
Review Anti-bullying procedures for Primary and Post Primary schools 2013	Q4 of 2022	Parents and Learners Unit, Department of Education	Work is conducted as part of the departmental staffs’ normal course of work and does not incur additional costs.
Review of the School Transport Scheme*	2022 School Transport	School Transport Section, Department of Education	€300 (spent to date on printing)
Towards a New Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy: A Review of Literature	2022	DCU Institute of Education	€24,960.00
High Level Independent Review of the Department of Education’s Current Child Protection Policies and Processes	2022	Ms. Noelle Buick	€ 24,000
Towards a New Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy - consultation on new strategy to include strategy discussion paper	January 2023	H2 Learning Ltd	€20,800.00
Review of national and international literature on Irish-medium and minority language education to inform the development of a new policy on Irish-medium education	January 2023	Sealbhú, DCU	€44,055 (ex. VAT)
Development of an evaluation framework for Teachers’ Professional Development *	March 2023	Educational Research Centre (ERC)	€389,386.16
Section 29 Internal Review	Q1 of 2023	Parents & Learners Inspectorate, Department of Education	Work is conducted as part of the Inspectorate's normal inspection activity in schools being carried out in accordance with the inspection programme outlined in Circulars 0029/2022 and 0030/2022. The inspection work incurs routine travel and subsistence costs.
Small Schools Action Research Project *	December 2023	Internal Project Public Service Reform Programme Management Office/School Governance	€150,000 The innovation fund of €150,000 for the small schools action research project will be used to fund initiatives generated by the project and the engagement of research expertise if required.
Evaluation of the Digital Learning Framework *	2023	ERC	€175,765.40
Evaluation of the School Excellence Fund digital & STEM Programme*	2023	H2 Learning	€234,354
Research and Evaluation Study on the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme*	End 2024	ERC	€23,890**
Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS 2021)	End 2023	ERC	€35,360**
National Assessment in Mathematics and English Reading (NAMER 2021)	End 2023	ERC	€35,000**
Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA 2022)	Mid 2025	ERC	€433,548**

* Note projects were commissioned prior to Minister Foley's appointment as Minister for Education in June 2020.

** Estimated cost for 2021. Please note that costs for international studies can vary significantly year on year, depending on elements including field work. These figures reflect direct research costs only. Participation fees also accompany some international research projects, amounting to around €196,000 in 2021.

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna (265)

Mark Ward

Ceist:

265. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education when work will commence on a permanent school (details supplied); when the project will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47095/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

The permanent building project for the school in question 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.

Planning permission for a 1,000 pupil post-primary school building, including 4 classrooms for children with special educational needs, 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.

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna (266)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

266. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she agrees that a new school building is required for a school (details supplied) given the multiple infrastructural problems in its current building. [47096/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for funding under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme, from the school in question.

My officials are in contact with the school authorities directly in relation to this application and the issues of concern to the school.

Ukraine War

Ceisteanna (267)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

267. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education the number of Ukrainian refugees that have been taken in by private schools as of 21 January 2022, by county in tabular form. [47117/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

Thank you Deputy for your question,

The most recent figures available (30 June 2022) show that a total of 7,285 students from Ukraine have enrolled in schools (5,047 primary, 2,238 post-primary) across all 26 counties. At that point, a total of 1,462 schools had students from Ukraine enrolled (1,041 primary, 421 post-primary) across all counties.

I can also inform you that, as of the same date, there were 75 Ukrainian young people enrolled in fee-charging schools at post-primary level. My Department does not hold enrolment data on fee-charging primary schools.

It is the Department's intention to release updated figures on enrolments of Ukrainian children and young people in schools in October, however these figures do not include data on fee-charging schools. Officials from my Department will update you on figures related to fee-charging post-primary schools once they are made available.

School Staff

Ceisteanna (268)

Joe Flaherty

Ceist:

268. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Education when the 90-day rule or cap on career-break substitute teaching will be removed. [47118/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

The terms and conditions of the Career Break Scheme (www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/229051/2bcc29cd-6266-47cf-8906-e9ef4ae80ac4.pdf#page=102:~:text=relevant%20personnel%20records.-,102,CAREER%20BREAK%20SCHEME,-(Should%20be%20read) for teachers are contained in my Department’s Circular Letter 54/2019 (assets.gov.ie/31530/18a305c43c954e7d8bcada934e216522.pdf) (Chapter 7). A Career Break is a period of unpaid special leave for not less than 1 school year. It may be extended on an annual basis provided the total period of the Career Break does not exceed 5 years at any one time, subject to an overall maximum of 10 years absence during a teacher’s career.

Under the Career Break Scheme, a teacher may not be employed in an approved teaching or special needs assistant post funded by monies provided by the Oireachtas. However, in exceptional circumstances, an employer may appoint a qualified teacher on Career Break for substitute teaching purposes subject to a maximum of (a) 90 days in a school year at primary level and (b) 300 hours in a school year at post primary level.

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform determines the terms and conditions of the Career Break Scheme for public servants, which includes teachers.

Under Section 24 of the Education Act 1998, the Minister for Education, with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, is authorised to determine the terms and conditions of employment for teachers employed in approved teaching posts funded by monies provided by the Oireachtas. The Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC) forms part of the Scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration for Teachers, the purpose of which is to provide a forum for claims and proposals relating to the salary, and other terms & conditions of service for teachers. The Council is comprised of representatives from the Teacher Unions, the School Management Bodies, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and the Department of Education. The TCC is independently chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission. The terms and conditions of teachers employed in State funded teaching posts are formulated at TCC and are of general application to all teachers appointed to such posts. The Career Break Scheme exists by virtue of a collective agreement, concluded under the auspices of the TCC.

National Educational Psychological Service

Ceisteanna (269, 270)

Joe Flaherty

Ceist:

269. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Education when a school (details supplied) will regain its previous access to a psychologist and referral service. [47119/22]

Joe Flaherty

Ceist:

270. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Education the schools in County Longford which have been transitioned to the Mullingar National Educational Psychological Service. [47120/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 270 together.

NEPS is organised into eight regions nationally. Psychologists work within a regional and local office structure serving the needs of schools in their vicinity. The Sligo and Mullingar Offices are part of the one region – the North West/North Midlands Region. Psychologists are assigned to schools across the region. Where there is a vacancy, schools continue to have access to critical incident support, regional support and development and advisory support from NEPS which may include pupil casework service via the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA). In relation to the school referred to by the Deputy the assigned advisory psychologist is based in Mullingar and provides the same service as provided by the Sligo office. To note historically Longford schools have been served by either the Sligo or Mullingar office. Decisions in relation to service provision is dependent on staff capacity in local offices.

The school in question can contact the psychologist by email or phone, this work will typically involve responding to:

- school enquiries

- providing for or arranging in indirect casework service

- arranging for the provision of a direct service through a SCPA service allocation or through NEPS

- arranging for the provision of elements of a regional support and development service and/or critical incident support.

Question No. 270 answered with Question No. 269.

School Transport

Ceisteanna (271)

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

271. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she has considered supports for schools that are not in the school transport scheme that seek to organise public transport to the school to improve the safety and sustainability of the journeys made by pupils to the school, which are now threatened by the rising fuel costs of coaches used. [47143/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

School 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.

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.

Commercial contractors who provide transport for schools on a private hire or commercial basis but who are not contracted by Bus Éireann to operate on my Department’s School Transport Scheme do not fall under the remit of my Department.

Question No. 272 answered with Question No. 211.

School Transport

Ceisteanna (273)

Johnny Mythen

Ceist:

273. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Education when a child (details supplied) will have a change of address confirmed by her Department on the school transport scheme bus ticket, given the urgent need for this service. [47207/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

School 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, 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 the Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.

The National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) acts in an advisory role to my Department on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs.

Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of SENOs.

I am pleased to advise that the child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs from their new address.

Bus Éireann has advised that there is no existing suitable service available from the new address to accommodate the child. In such circumstances, my Department will offer a Special Transport Grant (STG) towards the cost of private transport arrangements until a suitable service becomes available.

A special transport grant has been offered to the family referred to by the Deputy.

Where a family is not in a position to avail of the special transport grant, they are advised to notify the School Transport Section of my Department in writing by completing the STG Return Form which is attached to the STG Letter. School Transport Section who will in turn liaise with Bus Éireann toward the establishment of a service.