Written Answers Nos. 68-78
68. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Defence the number of civil servants in his Department who are seconded to State agencies or other public bodies and in receipt of a higher duty or acting allowance; the number who have been seconded for more than ten, more than 20 and more than 30 years, respectively; if the higher duty allowance is not pensionable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55767/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently no staff in my Department seconded to State agencies or other public bodies and in receipt of a higher duty/acting allowance. There are currently no staff in my Department seconded for more than 10, 20 or 30 years.
69. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Education the number of civil servants in her Department who are on secondment to State agencies or other public bodies and are in receipt of a higher duty or acting allowance; the number of civil servants who have been seconded for more than ten years, more than 20 years and more than 30 years, respectively; if the higher duty allowance is not pensionable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55767/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department facilitates secondments of officials to other organisations, as a result of their particular skillsets, to meet specific business needs and/or to facilitate career development opportunities.
There are currently four civil servants who are on secondment from my Department to a State agency or other public body, on a fixed-term contract basis, in roles which attract a higher salary than their salary in their substantive civil service grade i.e. the grade at which the individual is employed in my Department. The difference between the two is pensionable. It should be noted that the full salary costs associated with these posts are met by the receiving organisations, though for administrative purposes, Department officials on secondment to outside organisations may continue to be paid through the Department’s payroll arrangements with the National Shared Services Office (NSSO) with salary costs recouped to the Department of Education.
There are no civil servants on secondment from my Department to a State agency or public body for more than 10 years.the Department of Foreign Affairs and posted to embassies and missions abroad.
70. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on a building for a school (details supplied). [55666/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe permanent building project for school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department's Design and Build programme. This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Manager to progress the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning, tender and construction.
An application for planning permission for a 1,000 pupil post-primary school building, including 4 classrooms for children with special educational needs, was submitted to the relevant Local Authority in June 2021. The Grant of Planning decision was received from the Local Authority on 24th February 2022.
It is intended that the project will be included in the next bundle of projects to proceed to tender in Q4 2022.
71. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on tendering for the long-awaited extension of a school (details supplied).; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55667/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA major extension/refurbishment project for the school referred to by the Deputy, was recently authorised to proceed to tender for the appointment of a Building contractor. Assuming no significant issues arise during the tender process, the project should commence on site in the third quarter of 2023.
72. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Education , further to Parliamentary Question No. 461 of 15 February 2022, if she will include the CHO 1 area in the extension of the pilot of the school inclusion model; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55681/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn February 2019, the Government approved a trial of the Model for the 2019/20 school year. Initially designed as a one year pilot involving up to 75 participating schools in the CHO 7 region, it was interrupted by Covid-19 with the closure of schools and the diversion of HSE therapists from the project to Covid related work. It was then extended to the 2020/21 school year which was also interrupted by Covid. Progress has been made on aspects of the Model but much remains to be done in terms of in-school implementation and evaluation. The Pilot recommenced in November 2021 in CHO7.
There are a number of challenges and barriers to continuing the roll-out of SIM in CH07 and expanding SIM to other areas at this time. The single biggest challenge is the availability of therapists. While the Department’s initial intention was to expand SIM to other areas, pressures relating to workforce supply (therapists and psychologists) have resulted in SIM being limited to one CHO area. This will remain in 2023.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) are engaging with CORU (regulatory body over therapists) to determine how the current registration process can be expedited. The HSE is engaging with the Department of Health, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and the Department of Further and Higher Education to explore how the Higher Education Institutes can increase third level capacity, with a focus on an initiative to commence in September 2023.
73. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education if the age limit for school bus drivers can be extended from 70 to 75 years, given that most of these drivers are retired men and women who do this work on a part-time basis and are fully capable of driving until that age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55693/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the past school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
While over 90% of services are contracted locally, Bus Éireann apply stringent assessments of each individual driver on school routes. This includes vetting and background checks.
It is Bus Éireann company policy that normal retirement age for all Bus Éireann staff is currently 66 years. However, Bus Éireann part-time school bus drivers and drivers nominated by private operators who operate service as part of the School Transport Scheme may continue to perform in the role provided they hold the requisite license and satisfy an annual medical examination until they retire at age 70. This policy and criteria is applied to all drivers who provide school transport services on behalf of Bus Éireann equally.
The age limit on school bus drivers was increased to 70 years a number of years ago. While Bus Éireann have informed the Department there is no plan to increase the age limit further at this time, the matter will continue to be kept under review.
74. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that teachers who have qualified as primary teachers in the UK cannot return to do their on-the-job training year; and if such a requirement could be waived given the shortage of teachers being experienced at present. [55727/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFully qualified teachers who have qualified outside of the Republic of Ireland are eligible to apply for registration with the Teaching Council. All applications from teachers who qualified abroad are processed in line with EU Directive 2005/36/EC and are assessed in the same manner, regardless of whether they qualified within or outside the EU. All applications are individually assessed.
A person deemed to be a fully qualified teacher:
- has completed a recognised teacher education qualification and programme of induction in the country in which they qualified, and
- can provide an official letter from the relevant teacher registration body / Competent Authority or Ministry of Education confirming recognition as a fully qualified teacher in the State/ country.
In accordance with EU Directive 2005/36/EC, the qualifications of teachers who qualified outside of the ROI are assessed to ensure they are of a comparable standard to those achieved by graduates of accredited programmes in Ireland. Where significant differences arise, conditions (qualification shortfalls) will be applied to the teacher's registration.
It is recommended that any teacher who wishes to clarify their particular situation should make contact directly with the Teaching Council. Queries to the Council may be sent by email to: qa@teachingcouncil.ie.
My Department runs a comprehensive programme of work to support the supply of teachers at primary level.
Significant additional posts have been allocated to the primary substitute teacher supply panels in areas where significant challenges in sourcing substitution continue, bringing the total to 610 posts on 151 panels, covering approximately 2,800 schools, including 114 primary schools in Co. Meath.
The supply panels work alongside the existing methods of sourcing substitute teachers and schools can also make local arrangements to have their own regular substitutes to call on if needed.
Newly qualified teachers (NQTs) represent an additional source of supply in 2022/23. In excess of 1,870 primary NQTs have had their registrations finalised by the Teaching Council to date in 2022 with further applications being processed.
Sub Seeker is a central portal for short-term substitute vacancies. The portal was jointly developed by IPPN/NAPD in accordance with my Department's Teacher Supply Action Plan and launched in December 2019. The portal matches available primary and post-primary teachers with short-term substitute vacancies. Almost 12,000 teachers have registered with Sub Seeker to date.
On a temporary basis for the 2022/23 school year, job sharing teachers may be employed to work in a substitute capacity during the period they are rostered off, in their own or in other schools.
The limits on substitute work applying to teachers on career break have also been temporarily suspended for the 2022/23 school year.
The Teaching Council made regulations allowing for the registration of 3rd and 4th year undergraduate student teachers under a new registration route, Route 5 (Student Teachers). Approximately 1,300 student teachers applied for registration under the first cycle of Route 5 registrations. The second cycle of Route 5 registrations commenced in early October. Once registered with the Teaching Council, student teachers can be employed by a school to cover substitutable vacancies.
My Department will continue, with the cooperation of the education partners, to develop and implement measures to address challenges faced by schools and to support the supply of teachers.
75. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education if she can assist in a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55735/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of teachers in the State.
The Teaching Council registers teachers in line with the requirements set out in the Teaching Council Act 2001-2015 and the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations 2016.
It is a function of the Council under the Teaching Council Acts (s7(2)) to act as the competent authority for recognition of qualifications obtained by a person who has applied under this Act for registration as a teacher. Teachers whose applications meet all the necessary requirements are registered by the Teaching Council under the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations 2016.
I am informed by the Teaching Council that the individual referred to by the Deputy is currently registered under Route 3 - Further Education.
This individual has also submitted an application for registration under Route 2 – Post-Primary. This application is currently pending additional documentation in order to determine whether the applicant meets the registration requirements for Route 2.
The Teaching Council will review this application and will contact the applicant directly in respect of progressing same.
76. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if an application for an additional SNA will be approved for a school (details supplied); and if she will expedite a positive outcome. [55746/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews and the school should liaise with the NCSE directly in the event that additional supports are required. The Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations. Accordingly the correspondence has been forwarded to the NCSE for direct reply.
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.
SNAs are not allocated to individual children but to schools as a school based resource. The deployment of SNAs within schools is a matter for the individual Principal/Board of Management of the school. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated.
It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
In relation to SNA support the NCSE has confirmed that the school has an allocation of SNA support to provide support for children with primary care needs.
The following arrangements for the allocation of SNA support in respect of students in mainstream classes for 2022/23 will apply:
a) The SNA allocations for mainstream classes in schools on 31st May 2022 will be maintained for 2022/23. This will provide greater certainty for schools;
b) A process for schools, whereby if they consider their SNA allocation is in excess of the required care needs, to engage with the NCSE. Schools should contact their local NCSE Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO) to commence the process;
c) The exceptional review process undertaken by NCSE will remain in place throughout the 2022/23 school year, where schools can seek a review of their SNA allocations which will result in one of the following outcomes:
i. No change in the level of care need identified (and no change in the resultant SNA allocation);
ii. Increase in the level of care need identified (which if significant would see an increase in the SNA allocations to the schools); and
iii. Decrease in level of care need identified in the school (which if significant would result in a reduction in SNA allocations as the care need could be managed with less resources than are currently allocated).
In relation to outcome iii., the SNA allocation will be adjusted at the end of the relevant school term.
It is expected that schools will review and reprioritise the deployment of SNAs within mainstream settings and allocate resources to ensure those with the greatest level of need receive the greatest level of support. Providing access to SNA support continues to be based on primary care needs as outlined in DES Circular 0030/2014 circulars.gov.ie/pdf/circular/education/2014/30.pdf.
Following such a review and reprioritisation, it is expected that a small number of schools, e.g. developing schools, may not have a sufficient SNA allocation to meet the needs of their students. These schools can apply to the NCSE for an Exceptional Review of their allocation.
Detailed information on the NCSE Exceptional Review process is published on the NCSE website: ncse.ie/application-for-sna-exceptional-review.
The NCSE will endeavour to respond to all applications for Exceptional Review received as expediently as possible and in that regard, it will prioritise applications from schools with no current SNA allocation and developing schools. The Exceptional Review process for mainstream allocations will be available to schools throughout the 2022/23 school year.
The NCSE has developed an appeal mechanism for schools who are not satisfied with the outcome of the Exceptional Review. Local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) will provide information and clarification to schools on the outcome where requested. Where schools wish to appeal the outcome of the review, they must do so using the prescribed form provided by the NCSE at: ncse.ie/ncse-appeals-process.
The NCSE have published the SNA allocations for the 2022/23 school year and they are available at: ncse.ie/set-hours-and-sna-allocations.
All schools have the contact details of their local SENO, and the SENO is available to offer assistance and advice to the school. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
I hope this information is of assistance.
77. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education the number of places in each teacher training college for initial teacher training for primary school teachers for the past five years, including 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55766/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are 5 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) providing primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) in Ireland; four State-funded providers and one private provider.
Each of the State-funded providers have both concurrent (undergraduate) and consecutive (postgraduate) programmes:
- DCU Institute of Education;
- Marino Institute of Education;
- Maynooth University (Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education); and
- Mary Immaculate College.
The number of students admitted to primary concurrent (B.Ed) and consecutive programmes (PME) in State-funded HEIs each year is determined by my Department, having regard to teacher supply, demand issues and available resources. The intake has remained broadly stable over the past number of years.
Hibernia College is a privately owned institution which provides a primary consecutive (postgraduate) ITE programme only. My Department has no involvement in setting the numbers for Hibernia.
The annual approved intake per year across the four state-funded institutions for the past five years is set out in the following table.
|
HEI |
2018/19 |
2019/20 |
2021/21 |
2021/22 |
2022/23 |
|||||
|
|
B.Ed |
PME |
B.Ed |
PME |
B.Ed |
PME |
B.Ed |
PME |
B.Ed |
PME |
|
DCU |
432 |
60 |
432 |
60 |
432 |
60 |
432 |
60 |
432 |
60 |
|
Marino Institute of Education |
103 |
50 |
103 |
50 |
124 |
50 |
103 |
50 |
103 |
50 |
|
Maynooth University |
60 |
30 |
60 |
30 |
82 |
30 |
60 |
30 |
60 |
30 |
|
Mary Immaculate College |
405 |
60 |
405 |
60 |
433 |
60 |
405 |
60 |
405 |
60 |
|
Total |
1000 |
200 |
1000 |
200 |
1071 |
200 |
1000 |
200 |
1000 |
200 |
78. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education when a decision will be made on an application by a school (details supplied) for funding for a new SEN 2 base along with the replacement of four substandard classrooms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55791/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra79. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education when a decision will be made on an application by a school (details supplied) for funding for a new SEN 2 base along with the replacement of four substandard classrooms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55793/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 79 together.
I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of application for capital funding under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school authority in question.
Officials in my Department have engaged with the school authority and further information was submitted for consideration. On completion of the assessment process, the school authority will be contacted directly with a decision.
