Tuesday, 22 Nov 2022

Written Answers Nos. 364-383

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna (364, 365)

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

364. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel inducted and discharged by rank to date in 2022. [58091/22]

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

365. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence the number of vacancies that exist in the Defence Forces by rank. [58092/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

I propose to take Questions Nos. 364 and 365 together.

The attached Table 1 outlines the variance between current strength and the establishment strength, by rank, within Permanent Defence Force as at 31 October 2022, the latest date for which such information is available.

Table 2, attached, details the number of Permanent Defence Force personnel, by rank, that were discharged (as at 31 October 2022, the latest date such information is available) and inducted (as at 18 November 2022), as requested. Inductions reflect both general service recruitment, reentry of ex-PDF personnel, direct entry specialists, and cadet competitions. Vacancies at non-recruitment ranks are filled on an ongoing basis in line with promotional arrangements.

Staffing challenges in the Defence Forces are acknowledged and my focus is on bringing it's strength to the numbers required to meet the agreed level of ambition arising from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.

Table 1

Strength V Establishment by Rank (30 Nov 2022)*

Rank	Strength in Excess of Establishment	Strength Under Establishment (Vacancies)
Lt Gen	At Establishment Strength	-
Maj Gen	At Establishment Strength	-
Brig Gen	At Establishment Strength	-
Col	At Establishment Strength	-
Lt Col	-	-5
Comdt	+7	-
Capt	-	-110
Lt	+150
Sgt Maj		-4
BQMS		-2
CS		-15
CQMS		-13
Sgt		-457
Cpl		-437
Private		-607
Cadet	+67

* Latest date available

Table 2

Rank	Discharges as at 30/10/2022*	Inductions  as at 18/11/2022
Lt Gen	0	-
Maj Gen	0	-
Brig Gen	1	-
Col	1	-
Lt Col	4	-
Comdt	22	-
Capt	15	2
Lt	4	-
Sgt Maj	6	-
BQMS	5	1
CS	27	-
CQMS	23	-
Sgt	100
Cpl	124	1
PTE 3*	274	8
PTE 2*	8	-
REC	112	378
APPR	2	20
CADET	7	42

* Latest date available

Question No. 365 answered with Question No. 364.

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna (366)

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

366. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence when projects (details supplied) in the high-level implementation plan "Strengthening our Defence Forces", which was published in July 2019, will be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58093/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

The Report of the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) on Recruitment and Retention in the Defence Forces was published on the 4th of July 2019. The Report was accepted in full by the Government at that time and an extensive High Level Plan (HLIP) titled "Strengthening our Defence Forces” was also agreed and published on the same date.

All projects undertaken to facilitate the implementation of the recommendations of the PSPC report have now been completed, and/or are being progressed as part of normal business. The Project Management Office (PMO) has been stood down. This was communicated by a civil/military team in a final briefing on the status of the HLIP projects on 11 April 2022, to which the representative organisations of the Permanent Defence Force were invited.

For example the project that examined Barriers to Extended Participation in the PDF, which was split into two phases, was progressed for consideration in the context of broader public sector pensions policy. Phase 1 focused on reviewing mandatory retirement ages for Officers which is under consideration of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, in relation to the implications on costs and pensions.

Phase 2 examined the contracts of service and mandatory retirement ages for enlisted personnel. I secured agreement, in December 2021, with my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, which allows for an extension in service limits for Privates and Corporals, who were recruited to the Permanent Defence Force since 1 January 1994, to remain in service up to 50 years of age, subject to them meeting certain criteria including medical and fitness standards.

I recently secured an interim arrangement with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform which will allow for the retention in service for a further two years to the end of 2024 for Sergeants recruited after 1 January 1994, who are or would reach 50 years of age by the end of 2024, subject to their meeting certain criteria including passing medical and fitness tests.

The service limits for all ranks in the Defence Forces and other recommendations in the review relating to Commissioned Officers and senior Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) ranks, will be considered in the context of the Inter-Departmental Working Group, which the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has established, to consider mandatory retirement ages and service limits for public service groups who have fast accrual pension arrangements.

In February 2022, the Commission on the Defence Forces reported and its recommendations have been accepted by Government along with a High Level Action Plan for their implementation. A civil/military Implementation Management Office has been established to support the overall transformation programme required to implement these recommendations. The initial focus is the progressing of the 38 early actions as set out in the High Level Action Plan and the development of a detailed implementation plan for the remainder.

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna (367)

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

367. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence the status of the delivery of the early actions outlined in the high-level action plan for the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if all targets will be met. [58094/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

The High Level Action Plan (HLAP) for the Commission on the Defence Forces Report set out 38 early actions to be completed.

The HLAP set out initial implementation and oversight structures.

A civil/military Implementation Management Office (IMO) has been established to support the implementation of the overall transformation programme required to implement the recommendations from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. The initial focus of the IMO is the implementation of the 38 early actions as set out in the High Level Action Plan and the development of an Implementation Plan.

An Implementation Oversight Group has been established which met for the first time on 3 October. Subsequently, Ms. Julie Sinnamon was appointed as the the Independent Chair of the Implementation Oversight Group with a second meeting taking place on 17 November.

A High-Level Steering Board has been established, chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach, to oversee the implementation.

Significant progress has been made on the implementation of these 38 early actions, with the vast majority of early actions at an advanced stage. I have every confidence that the majority, if not all, of the early actions, will be completed within the agreed timeframe.

Renewable Energy Generation

Ceisteanna (368, 369)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

368. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the total number of schools which will get solar panels; the number of schools on an annual basis that will be fitted with free solar PV panels under recently announced proposals; the total amount of funding that will be made available on an annual basis to complete this programme of works; if he will outline the process by which this will be rolled out; if there will be a prioritisation list for certain schools getting fitted with solar panels first; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57891/22]

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

369. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the timeframe for when each school in Ireland will get free solar PV panels as part of Budget 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57892/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 368 and 369 together.

As the Deputy is aware Budget 2023 provided for the provision of funding from the Climate Action Fund in relation to the provision of Photovoltaic Panels in schools up to 6KW output.

This is really positive news for our schools and will assist with their energy needs and costs along with supporting the decarbonisation of our school buildings.

My Department's Officials are working closely with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications colleagues in relation to the arrangements for this multi-annual scheme and details will be announced in due course.

It is intended the provision of the solar panels will be fully funded for schools.

Question No. 369 answered with Question No. 368.

School Transport

Ceisteanna (370)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Ceist:

370. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education when a student (details supplied) in County Cork who is approved under the school transport scheme for children with special educational needs will be provided with transport; if she will confirm a start date for the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57275/22]

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 €289 million 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 and Skills 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 families 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. Therefore, a Special Transport Grant has been sanctioned until the transport service commences.

School Enrolments

Ceisteanna (371)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

371. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education if her Department has engaged and will engage with a school (details supplied) on the matter of school enrolments and pupil numbers in September 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57279/22]

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.

For 2022, my Department will spend in excess of €2.3 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.

In relation to the accommodation available to the school referenced by the Deputy, a new building for the school opened in 2021 and was designed for 20 classroom spaces with additional ancillary and specialist accommodation. I understand that all classroom spaces are occupied. The school has also since designated two further classroom spaces within the school building, thus providing 22 classroom spaces therein.

The school is located on a campus with a Gaelscoil and there is surplus classroom capacity in the Gaelscoil. Two classrooms in the Gaelscoil have been made available to the school and my Department has provided grant aid for external gate and external steps to facilitate access to these two classrooms. The school therefore now has a total of 24 classroom spaces in operation.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide.

The NCSE have advised my Department that the local SENO is currently working with this special school and with other primary schools in the area in the context of ensuring that a sufficient number of special class and special school places are available for the 2023/24 school year.

The local SENO remains available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.

School Accommodation

Ceisteanna (372)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

372. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on an application for additional accommodation for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57280/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

The school to which the Deputy refers was granted funding under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme to provide 2 SET rooms and 1 UAWC.

The Department has received the Stage 1 documents for this project and they are currently under review by members of our Department's Professional & Technical Team. The Department will be contact with the school authority following completion of this review.

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (373)

David Stanton

Ceist:

373. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education if a place in a special class or an ASD unit will be made available for a child (details supplied) in a second-level school in east Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57282/22]

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:

The NCSE has advised my Department that the local SENO is in contact with this student’s parents about his situation and is providing assistance and support.

The SENO is currently working with the post-primary schools in the area in the context of special class planning with a view to ensuring a sufficient number of special class places are available for the 2023/2024 school year.

My Department is committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential. My Department strives to ensure that every child has access to an educational experience that is appropriate to their needs and supports both their academic and personal development.

Our policy, which is set out in the Education of Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 (EPSEN) is that children with SEN should be educated in mainstream placements with additional supports provided as appropriate.

Where children require more specialised educational settings, such as special classes or special schools, the Department and National Council for Special Education (NCSE) ensures that the necessary resources and supports for such placements are provided in line with the needs of the child.

Over the last two to three years, my Department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient special class and special school places.

These initiatives are bearing fruit with over 600 new special classes sanctioned at primary level, almost 300 new special classes sanctioned at post-primary level and five new special schools established over the last three years. The NCSE have sanctioned 103 new special classes at primary level and 46 new special classes at post-primary level over the last 3 years in County Cork.

My Department is engaging intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes for the next school year 2023/2024. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.

At local level, the NCSE is continuing to engage with schools regarding the establishment of additional special classes for the next school year 2023/2024. Every support will be made available to schools to progress the opening of special classes in the shortest possible timeframe.

The NCSE have sanctioned a total of 2,545 special classes nationwide, with 1,803 at primary and 742 at post-primary. As the demand for new special classes at post-primary level is expected to increase significantly over the next few years, my Department and the NCSE are engaging with post-primary stakeholders in relation to the provision of special classes. My Department has also recently written to all post-primary schools to advise them of the need to begin planning to provide additional special classes

My Department is committed, in conjunction with the NCSE, to continue to work with parents, schools, patrons and all stakeholders to ensure that there are sufficient appropriate places for students with additional needs and to support all students to achieve their potential.

Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. The local SENOs remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.

Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at www.ncse.ie.

It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of a specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school.

My Department wants to reassure you also that it will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.

Departmental Correspondence

Ceisteanna (374)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

374. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education if she has received correspondence from a group (details supplied); if a response will issue to same; and the steps that she is taking to address the issue. [57293/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is currently engaging with the school authority in question regarding their accommodation needs. Supplementary information was requested from the school authority and when received will assist my Department in giving further consideration to the matter.

Official Travel

Ceisteanna (375)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

375. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if she or any officials from her Department or from bodies under the aegis of her Department travelled to the Sharm el-Sheikh Climate Change Conference; the number who travelled; the costs incurred; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57311/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

I can confirm that neither I, nor any officials from my Department, travelled to this Conference. I am not aware of any officials travelling to the Conference from any bodies under the aegis of the Department.

Irish Language

Ceisteanna (376)

Michael Creed

Ceist:

376. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education if Irish language education in secondary schools is placing enough emphasis on spoken Irish and giving due recognition to native Irish speakers and Gaelscoil students, with regard to certain aspects of the current curricular requirements (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57369/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

There have been significant developments over the past decade in Irish language curriculum provision for learners in post-primary schools.

As with all curriculum development work undertaken by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), the development of subject specifications is carried out by representative development groups. The Subject Development Group (Meitheal Forbartha) for Junior Cycle Irish and for Leaving Certificate Irish both comprised a range of key stakeholders with expertise and experience in the learning, teaching and assessment of Irish, including practising teachers of Irish.

In relation to Junior Cycle, following extensive consultation, L1 (Language 1) and L2 (Language 2) Irish specifications were introduced in schools in 2017 as part of Phase 3 of the roll out of the Framework for Junior Cycle (2015). This was the first time discrete Irish language curricular provision was made, in response to stakeholder feedback, for student learning Irish in Irish-medium and in English-medium post-primary schools. All students who started Junior Cycle from Autumn 2017 onwards are learning Irish as laid out in these new specifications.

Responding to requests received from stakeholders through the recent consultation on draft L1 and L2 specifications for Leaving Certificate Irish, the NCCA Council decided to undertake a review of the early enactment of Irish, L1 and L2, in Junior Cycle. Accordingly, I understand that a report on the early enactment of Irish, L1 and L2, in Junior Cycle is currently being finalised by the NCCA.

The NCCA commenced work to develop Leaving Certificate Irish Specifications for L1 and L2 in December 2018. A consultation on draft specifications was opened in February 2021. In response to stakeholder feedback and requests, the closing date for this consultation was extended to the end of November 2021. I am advised that a draft report on those consultations was presented to NCCA Council on 16/17 June and I expect to receive the finalised report in December.

The development of students’ skills in Irish language spoken production and interaction is central to the curricular specifications for Irish at all levels. The specifications espouse an integrated approach to the development of all language skills. It is worth noting that the specifications for Irish at Junior Cycle ensures all students have opportunity to engage in the assessment of their competence in spoken Irish, as well as the other language skills.

The decision to alter the timing of Paper 1 in Irish and English is an interim measure designed to respond to this consensus for spreading the assessment load and thereby reduce the stress experienced by students, pending the development of revised specifications in all subjects, including Irish and English. In making this decision, I also wanted to ensure that all students would begin to see and feel the benefits of Senior Cycle redevelopment as soon as possible. If we did not make this change, six years of Leaving Certificate students, or approximately 360,000 students, would not see or feel the benefits of the reforms. The planning necessary to hold Paper 1 in Irish and English at the end of the fifth year from summer 2024 has commenced. Once this planning has been completed full information will be provided to students and schools.

On the matter of CAO points, I am aware that Irish-language stakeholders have called for CAO bonus points to be made available to encourage uptake of the draft L1 specification. It is necessary at this time to await the outcomes of the consultation process before reaching any decision on such matters. The Deputy is advised that CAO bonus points are a matter for the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

School Transport

Ceisteanna (377)

Martin Browne

Ceist:

377. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education if her Department's school transport scheme has engaged with local private operators to provide a school transport service for persons (details supplied) who have been left without a bus service from Tipperary town to a school (details supplied); if she will consider acquiring the services of any of the private transport services to address the shortfall in school transport given the significant costs of €400 a month being incurred by the family to fill this gap in services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57374/22]

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 €289 million 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.

Under the terms of my Department’s School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2kms at primary and 4.8kms at post-primary and are attending their nearest School/Education Centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time have been accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.

The closing date for receipt of applications for the 2022/2023 School Year was 29 April 2022.

Bus Éireann has advised that the family referred to by the Deputy are eligible for school transport, however there is no service available from where these pupils reside to the schools they are attending.

Children who are eligible for school transport but for whom no service is available may be offered the Remote Area Grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements. The Remote Area Grant is also payable for eligible children who may have to travel 3.2kms or more to or from a designated pick up/set down point.

Grants are paid at the end of the school year, and School Transport Section of my Department will liaise with the family referred with regard to this matter.

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna (378)

Colm Burke

Ceist:

378. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education the current position in respect of the approval for the new primary school for Blarney, County Cork which involves the amalgamation of the two existing primary schools; when her Department will sanction the building of this school in order that it can proceed with the planning application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57389/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an early stage of Architectural Planning, Stage 1 – Site Suitability, Site Report & Initial Sketch Scheme Submission.

The Brief for the project is an extension/refurbishment to bring the current accommodation up to 12 classrooms on the current site of the girl’s school. In January 2021, the Brief was increased to include for an additional 3 classrooms and associated ancillary accommodation for pupils with Special Educational Needs.

The Design Team are currently completing a revised Stage 1 Addendum Report which will incorporate the SEN Base and also Decarbonisation design options.

The Design Team advise that this Addendum will be submitted to my Department shortly.

Upon receipt of the Addendum, my Department will review the report and if satisfactory, the School Authorities and its Design Team will be advised with regard to further progression of this project to Stage 2(a) - Developed Design, where the design is developed to a stage where the project can be fully cost-planned and can be prepared to lodge for Statutory Applications.

School Transport

Ceisteanna (379)

Steven Matthews

Ceist:

379. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the withdrawal of a school bus service (details supplied); the steps that she will take to resolve this matter for the families that have been impacted by same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57399/22]

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.

Bus Éireann has advised that for a number of days they were unable to source a contractor/driver to operate a service for the route referred to by the Deputy and parents were notified of this issue.

Bus Éireann has further advised that their Local Office has now sourced a suitable contractor and driver to operate this service from 21/11/2022, and that their Local office are in the process of sending email communication to all families involved advising of the resumption of this service.

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna (380, 381)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

380. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education when remedial works on schools (details supplied) in County Meath which is a legacy from the original build in 2015, will be commenced and completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57414/22]

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

381. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education when the SEN base extensions will be moved to the next phase for schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57415/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 380 and 381 together.

The schools referred to by the deputy have been approved funding under the Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme, which will provide additional accommodation for children with special educational needs.

By means of addressing the legacy issued referred to by the deputy, the Department has engaged closely with the schools, visited the school site and agreed to incorporate some remedial works into the ASA project.

The Department is currently reviewing elements of a revised Stage 1 submission for the ASA project, which now incorporates remedial measures that were agreed between the schools and the Department onsite over the summer of 2022. This review is nearing a conclusion and the Department will revert to school authorities upon completion of the review in terms of progression of the project to the next stage of architectural planning.

Question No. 381 answered with Question No. 380.

School Accommodation

Ceisteanna (382)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

382. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the temporary arrangements for schools (details supplied) in County Meath for physical accommodation to house the expected increased staff and pupil numbers in September 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57416/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

I can confirm that capital funding was approved under my Department's Additional Schools Accommodation Scheme for classrooms for children with special educational needs for both schools in question in 2018 and the projects are devolved to the school authority for delivery.

My Department is currently in receipt of an application from Duleek Boys national school requesting interim accommodation while awaiting completion of new build for this special class accommodation. The application is currently being assessed and when completed the school authorities will be notified diretcly with a decision.

There is currently no application on hand for additional accommodation from Duleek GNS.

The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation. This situation generally arises to cater for the accommodation needs of newly recognised schools and to cater for a school’s accommodation requirements where an additional teaching post has been sanctioned by Teacher Allocation Section and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes. It is open to individual schools to submit an application if additional accommodation is required for September 2023.

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna (383)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

383. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education the status of the provision of a new school building for a school (details supplied) and the requirement for special classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57434/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

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

The school authorities were recently contacted with a provisional offer of accommodation under the ASA scheme, which includes provision for further special class accommodation. This offer is under consideration by the school authorities currently. My officials will remain in contact with the school and the patron in relation to this application and any issues they may have.