Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:426. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education when a school (details supplied) will be provided with an Internet connection. [51334/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraInformation and Communications Technology
Ceisteanna (426)
Freagraí scríofa
The delivery of high quality internet connectivity for all schools is a key objective of my department. It is accepted that good connectivity is essential to ensure that schools are facilitated to progress the embedding of digital technologies in teaching and learning and for the implementation of new and revised curriculum.
My department operates the Schools Broadband Programme at an annual cost of some €13m, providing broadband connectivity to schools through a range of technologies at the best available connectivity based on local infrastructure. The department is now implementing a project to provide high speed broadband connectivity through the Schools Broadband Programme for primary schools outside of the National Broadband Plan Intervention Area, and where commercial provision is neither available nor planned. That project is supported by funding under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) and is managed by HEAnet on behalf of my department. My department is committed to providing all primary schools with high speed broadband in 2023 through the National Broadband Plan, commercial provision, and the NRRP project.
The school referred to by the Deputy was included in a recent tender to put in place a new contract for broadband services and was awarded to a provider of high speed broadband. That provider has advised that work is continuing on the installation of the service to the school, with the pre-installation works now completed. The provider will shortly be in contact with the school directly to organise the final connection within the school.
As you are aware the Department is obliged to adhere to procurement regulations and must engage with the selected providers on the DES Framework of Providers of Broadband Services through a tender process to award services. This is the basis on which all state-funding is utilised to ensure transparency and equal treatment for all schools and providers, and adherence to regulatory requirements.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (427)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:427. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the consideration being given to the residents of counties Longford and Westmeath who await places on school transport, given the additional funding available to the school transport scheme to provide temporary additional capacity. [51346/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of my 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. Already over 125,000 tickets for the 2022/2023 school year have been issued to applicants for the new 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. 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.
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.
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.
As you are aware additional funding has been approved following the budget for the scheme which will allow my officials in consultation with Bus Éireann to consider and evaluate where temporary additional capacity may be available.
The initial focus will be where families applied on time and who previously held concessionary tickets, to alleviate the impact of the increased demands on the scheme for those families. However, it is important to stress that this is subject to capacity considerations. Constraints in sourcing vehicles and drivers in certain areas of the country may also mean that it may take a number of weeks to explore solutions for additional capacity.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (428)
Brian Stanley
Ceist:428. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education if she will review the current system for designating catchment areas for the school transport services to factor in an element of feeder schools being taken into consideration. [51349/22]
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. The cost of the scheme in 2021 was €289m.
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.
A number of changes to the School Transport Scheme were introduced in Budget 2011, which derived from recommendations in the Value for Money Review of the Scheme. These changes encompassed a number of elements including the cessation of catchment boundary area to determine eligibility at post primary level.
Under the current eligibility criteria, pupils at primary level are eligible where they live no less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest primary school having regard to ethos and language. Students at post-primary level are eligible where they live no 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.
As the Deputy may be 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.
Wider considerations relating to operation of the scheme are now taking place in the second phase of the review. It is anticipated that the completion of the final phases of the review will be in the shortest timeframe possible.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (429)
Brian Stanley
Ceist:429. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure all pupils who had a concessionary ticket in previous years for school transport are facilitated in the current school year. [51350/22]
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. The cost of the scheme in 2021 was €289m.
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 2022/2023 school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures.
School Transport 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. 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.
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.
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 very important 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, 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.
Following discussions with Minister McGrath and officials in DPER as part of the budgetary process, some additional funding has been approved for the scheme which will allow officials, in consultation with Bus Éireann, to consider and evaluate where temporary additional capacity may be available.
The initial focus will be where families applied on time, who previously held concessionary tickets, and where capacity allows, to seek to alleviate the impact of the increased demands on the scheme for those families. Constraints in sourcing vehicles and drivers in certain areas of the country may also mean that it may take a number of weeks to explore solutions for additional capacity.
School Accommodation
Ceisteanna (430)
Paul McAuliffe
Ceist:430. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the temporary accommodation for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51356/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The school to which the Deputy refers has been approved Modular Accommodation under the Department's Modular Accommodation Framework.
Officials from my Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme issued approval on the 16th of September 2022 to proceed with site works for Phase 2 of this project.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (431)
Paul McAuliffe
Ceist:431. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the permanent school building for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51357/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy may be aware, a major campus development is being planned for the site on which the school referred to is located. The development will deliver two new 1,000 pupil post-primary school buildings and a new primary school building.
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 project is being delivered as part of a programme which has strong Project Manager support that will help ensure its delivery in an efficient and timely manner. My Department will continue to keep the patron bodies informed of developments.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (432)
Cormac Devlin
Ceist:432. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51386/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In reference to the school to which the Deputy refers, I wish to advise that planning permission has been granted for interim accommodation on the school’s proposed permanent site with 18 conditions, 12 of which are prior to commencement. My Department’s Design Team has responded to the local authority with regard to the prior to commencement conditions and we are awaiting their response to same. Currently it is not possible to provide a timeline as to when the interim building will be in place.
Agreement in principle for the acquisition of the permanent site was reached with the Executive of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council in June 2021, subject to the approval of the Elected Members of the Council.
The approval by the Elected Members to dispose of these lands to the Minister for Education was granted at a Council Meeting on 11th April 2022.
This acquisition is subject to the successful granted of planning permission for the permanent school facility.
With regard to the permanent school building project, my Department will shortly be commencing the tender process for the appointment of the Project Manager for the delivery programme which includes this school referred to by the Deputy. Once the Project Manager is appointed, they will commence the tender process for the appointment of the Design Team that will take the project forward through the stages of architectural planning to tender and construction. The school will be kept fully informed as these steps are progressed.
My Department will continue to address the interim accommodation requirements for the school and will continue to keep the Patron Body and school community updated as these projects progress.
State Examinations
Ceisteanna (433)
John Lahart
Ceist:433. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education if the State Examinations Commission has completed its assessment of the junior certificate examinations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51399/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the state examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
School Admissions
Ceisteanna (434)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:434. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact there remain Ukrainian children living in a hotel (details supplied) who have not been provided with a school place near their State-sponsored accommodation and who have also not been provided with the necessary transport to bring them to and from the schools in the north-east inner city where they were previously registered to attend and which can still provide them with a school place. [51436/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
When families from Ukraine with school-age children move to Citywest, they are advised by the local REALT coordinator of the nearest schools to their accommodation with available capacity.
Capacity surveys completed at the end of June showed that there were sufficient spaces available in primary and post-primary schools in the Tallaght school planning area to accommodate the incoming Ukrainian students and information on the schools with available places was communicated to families by the REALT co-ordinator.
My Department and Bus Éireann is continuing to provide School Transport Scheme services in line with the process that was in place for the 2021/2022 school year for children arriving to Ireland from Ukraine. Full information on the process is available on Gov.ie.
It is the Department’s policy that Ukrainian children should enrol in the nearest school with available capacity to their accommodation centre. Should a parent wish to transfer their child from a school in the North East Inner City, they should contact their local REALT. Contact details for the REALT are available on gov.ie - Information for schools – Ukraine (www.gov.ie).
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (435)
Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:435. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the status of a proposed new school under the strategic development zone, SDZ, for an area (details supplied); if she can provide a timeline for the delivery of the school; and if the project will be expedited given the rapidly increasing population in the area. [51448/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a programme of school building projects. The NDFA is currently undertaking the process of appointment of multi-disciplinary technical advisors (design teams) for these projects. Thereafter, it will ensure that the project progresses to design stage, obtains the necessary statutory planning permission, and moves the project onward to tender and construction in due course.
It is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of the project at this early stage.
School Admissions
Ceisteanna (436)
Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:436. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education the number of school places currently unfilled in schools in Lucan, County Dublin at both primary and secondary school level. [51449/22]
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 most recent analysis undertaken by my Department projects that over 90% of the 314 school planning areas at primary level show decreasing enrolments for the period to 2025 compared with 2021, whereas some 88% of school planning areas at post-primary level are anticipated to have increased enrolments for the period to 2028, with most expected to reach a peak in the next two or three years.
New schools established since 2011 to meet demographic demand are required, in the first instance, to prioritise pupil applications from within the designated school planning area(s) which the school was established to serve. This does not preclude schools from enrolling pupils from outside of the school planning area where they have sufficient places, rather it reflects the need to accommodate in the first instance the demographic for which the school was established.
Aside from the obligation outlined above, the question of enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the Board of Management on behalf of the school Patron. A survey of schools' capacity to accommodate Ukrainian students undertaken by my Department earlier in 2022 indicated good capacity across primary and post primary level in the Lucan school planning area, with potential capacity of circa 500 places being identified by schools, mostly at primary level.
My Department does, additionally, work with patrons and school authorities to establish the true extent of any capacity issues in an area. In that context, similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department proactively engages with patron bodies to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate further action to that already in train.
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 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, 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.
School Admissions
Ceisteanna (437)
Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:437. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education the steps that her Department is taking to increase capacity in schools across the Lucan, County Dublin area at both primary and secondary level. [51450/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
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.
There are approximately 1,300 school building projects currently in progress across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction under the Large Scale and Additional School Accommodation Scheme, of which 20 school building projects are in Lucan. Most of these projects are expected to be either under construction or completed in the period 2022 to 2025.
The current status of all projects are listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie. and is updated on a regular basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
This also lists all school building projects completed under the Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme, in county order, from 2010 to date.
I also wish to advise the Deputy that 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, including Lucan, will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
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 annual demographic exercises, my Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain the up-to-date information on significant new residential development in each area. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes.
The most recent analysis undertaken by my Department projects that over 90% of the 314 school planning areas at primary level show decreasing enrolments for the period to 2025 compared with 2021, whereas some 88% of school planning areas at post-primary level are anticipated to have increased enrolments for the period to 2028, with most expected to reach a peak in the next two or three years.
Where demographic 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:
- 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 requirement for additional school places in the Lucan school planning areas is kept under on-going review. Additionally, my Department will continue to liaise with the local Council in respect of its review of the Development Plan with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements. New schools are established by my Department on the basis of identified demographic demand in an area, and only after consideration of the capacity of existing schools to absorb the expected school place demand.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (438)
Charles Flanagan
Ceist:438. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Education if she can examine a case (details supplied) in relation to the free school transport scheme, where the applicants were classified as late applicants due to technical issues with the application portal resulting in "internal server is down" messages; if tickets can issue to those who were unable to apply due to the technical issues within the system, in view of current challenges and anomalies within the portal system and the recently announced additional funding secured for this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51468/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
School Transport 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.
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.
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.
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 to issuing emails, a strong emphasis is placed on advertising the closing date through both website and social media platforms. Bus Éireann advertised the closing date through their website and social media platforms. The closing date was also advertised through the Department of Education, Public Representatives and other forms of media channels. The email notifications that are issued are intended as a reminder but are not required for a ticket request to be made.
Bus Éireann have confirmed that the pupils referred to by the Deputy are eligible for transport as they are attending their nearest school. However, applications for transport were not received until 25 August 2022 for the 2022/23 school year and they are therefore, deemed as a late application.
It is important to note that the application deadline for 2022/23 was 29 April 2022, and that the deadline to confirm registration for tickets was 29 July 2022. Any application completed after this date is a ‘late application’ and therefore, many school transport services are already operating at full capacity. Late applications will only be assessed after all “on time” applications have been processed and there can be no guarantee of places for late applicants.
Following the budgetary process, some additional funding has been approved for the scheme which will allow officials in consultation with Bus Éireann to consider and evaluate where temporary additional capacity may be available.
The initial focus will be where families applied on time and who previously held concessionary tickets, to alleviate the impact of the increased demands on the scheme for those families. However, it is important to stress that this is subject to capacity considerations. Constraints in sourcing vehicles and drivers in certain areas of the country may also mean that it may take a number of weeks to explore solutions for additional capacity.
School Accommodation
Ceisteanna (439)
Jennifer Whitmore
Ceist:439. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 182 of 5 October 2022, if she will sanction the supply to the school concerned of the 200m2 modular accommodation in 4x50 m2 general classroom accommodation given that the SNU needs have been met within the existing school building and the urgent need for general classroom space; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51470/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm to the Deputy, that officials from my Department have been in contact directly with the school authorities in relation to the request for general classrooms at the school in question. A decision will issue to the school authority directly in this regard.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (440)
Patrick Costello
Ceist:440. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education the supports that her Department is providing to schools to assist children missing school due to the effects of long-Covid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51485/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ensuring that every pupil/student gets a suitable education is a priority for my Department. Where appropriate, pupils/students benefit most from face to face teaching in a supportive school environment to avail of the social and academic opportunities which school allows.
My Department provides funding through a Home Tuition Grant Scheme towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for pupils/students enrolled in schools, with significant medical conditions which has caused, and is likely to continue to cause, major disruption to their attendance at school. Eligibility for home tuition for children with a significant medical condition is assessed having regard to the pupil's attendance levels for the previous school year and a relevant medical /relevant professional report.
Link to the Home Tuition Grant Scheme 2022/2023 can be found at: assets.gov.ie/229645/9ada99ec-9151-481a-952a-4fc612e1364f.pdf
School Transport
Ceisteanna (441)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:441. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education the reason a request for school transport for a child (details supplied) that was passed some time ago is still not in place [51492/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.
I am pleased to advise that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is eligible under the terms of the scheme and a sanction has been sent by School Transport Section of my Department to Bus Éireann for the establishment of a new service for the pupil to the school referred to by the Deputy.
Bus Éireann have tendered this service in line with procurement guidelines and are in the process of allocating a contractor to operate this service, once a contractor has been sourced, the service will commence. Bus Éireann will liaise with the family directly with regard to this matter at that stage.
Both the Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the challenges faced by parents awaiting transport for students with special educational needs. Families of children who are eligible for these services may therefore apply for the Special Transport Grant, which is a once off payment, paid retrospectively to families once the School Transport service is in place and is to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements the family had put in place until services are finalised. Families should contact School Transport Section at: school_transport@education.gov.ie for more information on how to apply for this grant.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (442)
Colm Burke
Ceist:442. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education if a pupil (details supplied) with a diagnosis of autism who changed school and was notified transport would be provided under the school transport scheme for children with special needs service under the new school will receive this service, given their parents have been informed this service is no longer possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51508/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
The purpose of the “School Transport Scheme for children with Special Educational Needs” is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children with special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability.
The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.
I am pleased to advise that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is eligible under the terms of the scheme and a sanction has been sent by School Transport Section of my Department to Bus Éireann to accommodate the pupil on a service to the school referred.
Bus Éireann are still in the process of securing a contractor to operate this service, once a contractor has been sourced, the service will commence.
Both the Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the challenges faced by parents awaiting transport for students with special educational needs. Families of children who are eligible for these services may therefore apply for the Special Transport Grant which is a once off payment, paid retrospectively to families once the School Transport service is in place and is to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements the family had put in place until services are finalised. Families should contact School Transport Section at: school_transport@education.gov.ie for more information on this grant.
School Patronage
Ceisteanna (443)
Patrick Costello
Ceist:443. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education the legislation upon which the school patronage process is based; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51511/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Education Act requires the Minister for Education, as a function, to plan and co-ordinate the provision of education in recognised schools and to do all such acts and things as may be necessary to further the objects of the Act. The Act also bestows on the Minister all such powers as are necessary or expedient for the purpose of performing her functions.
It also stipulates that in carrying out her functions, the Minister must have regard to the resources available and the practices and traditions relating to the organisation of existing schools and their right to manage their own affairs in accordance with the Act and any charters, deeds, articles of management or other such instruments relating to their establishment or operation.
Historically, school patrons monitored demographic increases at local level and sought approval from the Department to extend existing schools or provide new schools where a significant level of demand could not be met within existing school capacity.
Since 2011, new arrangements have been in place for the establishment of new schools involving the forecasting of demand for school places based on demographic exercises carried out by the Department. New schools are only established in areas of demographic growth as the resources available for school infrastructure have to be prioritised to meet the needs of areas of significant population increase so as to ensure that every child has a school place.
The arrangements also give an opportunity to patrons to apply for the patronage of new schools. The criteria used in deciding on the patronage of new schools place a particular emphasis on parental patronage and language preferences and an analysis of existing provision in the areas where the schools are being established.
This approach is underpinned by a 2011 Government Decision.
The patronage process is open to all patron bodies and prospective patrons. An Online Patronage Process System (OPPS) has been in operation under my Department since 2018 and provides objective information to parents in the relevant school planning areas to assist them in making an informed choice about their preferred model of patronage and language of instruction for the new school.
A prospective patron can choose the school(s) it wishes to apply for and complete an application form in that regard for each school, for submission to my Department. The Department provides details on the OPPS of the school(s) and the list of applicant patrons which have applied for patronage of the school(s). Parents can then access the OPPS website, which allows them to access the appropriate survey for their area, to input the details of the eligible child(ren) and to select their preferred patron and language of instruction (with the exception of the Irish-medium primary gaelscoileanna which have been designated as Irish-medium prior to the opening of the OPPS - in the case of these schools, parents can select their preferred patron). Parental preferences from parents of children who reside in the school planning areas concerned, together with the extent of diversity currently available in these areas, are key to decisions in relation to the outcome of the process.
The patronage process for new schools is overseen by an external independent advisory group, the New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG). This Group was set up in 2011 to advise the Minister on the patronage of new schools. Following their consideration of my Department’s assessment reports, the NSEG submits a report with recommendations to me for consideration and final decision. The assessment reports and the NSEG recommendations for all such patronage processes are made available on the education section of the gov.ie website.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (444)
Pauline Tully
Ceist:444. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the plans she has in place to introduce a personal assistant service (personalised budget) for children with disabilities in schools, which could greatly assist in getting the specific help they need while in a mainstream setting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51525/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
Enabling children with special educational needs and disabilities to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
For 2022, 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.
For 2023, this spend will be substantially increased by over 10%, meaning that for 2023 my Department will spend over €2.6 billion on special education.
This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the Department’s total allocation for 2023.
This includes additional teaching and care supports. It also includes funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) for an additional 54 psychologists to provide services to special schools and special classes.
For the first time ever we will have over 19,000 teachers working in the area of special education and over 20,000 Special needs assistants. Together we have almost 40,000 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities.
The Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme is designed to provide schools with additional adult support staff who can assist children with special educational needs who also have additional and significant care needs. Such support is provided in order to facilitate the attendance of those pupils at school and also to minimise disruption to class or teaching time for the pupils concerned, or for their peers, and with a view to developing their independent living skills.
Circular 0030/2014 provides details of the primary care needs for which SNA support will usually be provided and sets out the types of secondary care associated tasks which SNAs may often perform, but only once they have been allocated on the basis of a requirement to provide for primary care needs.
While the education system focuses on supporting the teaching and learning needs of students with disabilities, the HSE is responsible for providing additional health and social care supports in Children’s Disability Network Teams across the country. Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs) provide a single, uniform and equitably accessible system of disability services for children and young people with complex needs.
In terms of considering a new model of supports for children with special educational needs and disabilities in our schools, my Department is currently providing funding for the School Inclusion Model project which is operating in some schools. The SIM is based on policy advice from the National Council for Special Education which works on the principle of providing the right support at the right time delivered by a range of personnel with relevant qualifications and skill-sets. The purpose of the SIM is to build the capacity of participating schools so they can support the inclusion of all children particularly those with special educational needs (SEN). It is intended to review the impact of the SIM project to inform future policy decisions. Consideration of the NCSE policy advice on special classes and special schools will also be significant in this regard also.
There are no plans to introduce a personal assistant service (personal budget) for children with disabilities in schools at this time.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (445)
Pauline Tully
Ceist:445. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education if she will consider prohibiting the use of seclusion and restraint in schools; if she will consider prohibiting the use of reduced timetables for children with disabilities who have behavioural issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51526/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Board of Management of each school is responsible for the care and safety of all of the pupils in their school. Schools should supervise and support children who are distressed or exhibiting behaviours of concern until they have recovered and are able to re-engage in the classroom. In some circumstances this may mean the temporary removal of a child from the environment where the problems have arisen.
Schools owe a duty of care to all their students and any action taken in relation to managing behaviour must be proportionate.
Tusla's Educational Welfare Service, has published guidelines for schools on Codes of Behaviour which all schools are required by law to have in place. The guidelines advise that specialised behaviour management strategies, such as the use of restraint, should not be used without expert advice, training and monitoring. In particular, the guidelines point to certain sanctions which are regarded as inappropriate, including leaving a student in an unsupervised situation while in the care of the school. All parents must be made aware of behaviour management strategies employed by the school.
Schools may seek advice from their local National Educational Psychological Services psychologist, from the NCSE’s Support Service which includes Special Educational Needs Organisers, the National Behavioural Support Service and the Special Education Support Service, as to how children with behavioural needs can best be supported in school.
A range of guidance is available for schools in relation to the management of student behaviour. The Department published Guidelines for Supporting Pupils with Behavioural, Emotional, and Social Difficulties, which is available on the Department’s website, www.education.ie. The National Educational Psychological Services document Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties – A Continuum of Support also provides advice for teachers, including some advice on the use of “time out” procedures in the classroom.
Training is available for schools in relation to the provision of support for children with special educational needs from the NCSE’s Regional Service. The Special Education Support Service can, as part of their designated training modules, provide guidance for schools in relation to the management of difficult behaviour.
Further to the receipt of policy advice from the NCSE, the Department of Education established an Expert Working Group to develop guidelines for schools on the prevention and management of challenging behaviours (including the use of physical interventions) where such behaviour is considered as likely to present serious risk of physical harm to the student concerned and/or others within the school environment.
Development of the Guidelines has been informed by evidence showing that whole school positive behavioural approaches and early and ongoing engagement with the school community, including parents/guardians, are necessary for the development of effective school policy and practice.
Following consideration of the views and contributions received as part of the consultation process, a final draft of the guidelines has been prepared and is being considered by the Department. They place a strong focus on prevention and early intervention strategies for the management of crisis student behaviour in which physical intervention may be employed only as the last part of a comprehensive, positive and planned behavioural approach by the school. They are underpinned by the principles that such intervention is never used for the purposes of discipline; that it should be applied proportionately and should last only as long as is necessary to de-escalate the situation. The guidelines underline the importance of continued supervision of children during a crisis period including matters related to behaviour and the need for such incidents to be recorded.
The guidelines when issued will apply to all schools. In this regard, consideration is being given to the implementation of guidelines by schools including the kind of supports and training that may be required.
Guidelines for schools on reduced school days were published on 16th September 2021 and came into effect from 1st January 2022. Please see link below which contains a copy of the guidelines and an information note for parents: www.gov.ie/en/circular/f49bd-0047-2021/
The purpose of the Guidelines on the use of Reduced School days is to ensure that the use of reduced school days are limited to only those circumstances where it is absolutely necessary and, that where such usage occurs, schools follow best practice with the best interests of the student to the fore. The Guidelines also outline a number of key requirements for the use of reduced school days.
A school can only place a child on a Reduced School Day if the parent/guardians give their consent. A parent/guardian is not obliged to consent to this. If consent is given the school must complete a form and it must be sent to Tusla Education Support Services(TESS), the parent/guardian must sign this form giving their consent to the use of a Reduced School Day. It is also important to note that a parent/guardian may withdraw their consent at any time.
Tusla Education Support Services (TESS) have a dedicated Reduced School Day team in place, and they provide support and assistance to parents/guardians if needed.