Written Answers Nos. 220-228
221. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an official approval and building formulation report for a school (details supplied), in order that the school building project can be progressed without any delay. [58607/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that following the Department's communication with the school patron on 3rd October last, the Department has since advised the patron that the project brief is currently being formulated and that the Department will be in further contact with the patron when this process has been completed.
222. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the reason that some principals who act as secretary to the Board of Management in their school receive the allowance for principals who act as secretary to the Board of Management, while other principals in this position receive the larger secretary Board of Management allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58638/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Secretary to Board of Management allowance was introduced in 2007 following an agreement reached at the Teachers Conciliation Council (Agreed Report 3/06). This agreement followed a recommendation of the Teachers Arbitration Board in 2003 that an allowance should be put in place for all Principals who carry out work as Secretary outside of normal working hours.
Prior to the 2007 TCC agreement, six Principals of Comprehensive schools received an allowance for acting as secretary to the board, as did seven CEOs of VECs. The payment was introduced in the 1960s for the additional duties involved and was limited only to this category of recipients.
Following the 2007 agreement, the Secretary to the Board of Management Allowance was payable in one of 5 categories based on student enrolment in the school. The potential cost of implementing the allowance at the previous allowance rate payable to all school Principals was estimated to be in the region of €10.6 million per annum.
The duties of a Secretary to a Board of Management include setting the agenda for meetings and recording minutes, dealing with Board of Management correspondence, providing information to members concerning Board of Management rights and responsibilities and advance development of school policies. The duty is optional and where the Principal does not act as Secretary, the Board elects a Secretary from its other members – no allowance is payable to that Secretary.
Following the outcome of the review of allowances and premium payments (September 2012) by the department of Public Expenditure and Reform, this allowance has been abolished save for those who are already in receipt of the allowance.
223. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if the Covid-19 capitation grant to provide for enhanced cleaning services and the purchase of necessary cleaning supplies in schools will be continued going forward to allow schools to maintain the current level of cleanliness achieved with assistance from this grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58639/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe continuation and rates of Covid-19 capitation grants to provide for enhanced cleaning services and the purchase of necessary cleaning supplies in schools will be determined by the prevailing public health advice at the time.
My Department will continue to work closely with all of the education partners and public health specialists so that schools will be supported in implementing any measures that may be required for the remainder of this school year.
224. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Oideachais cé mhéad iarratas atá curtha isteach ar iompar scoile chun freastal ar Ghaelscoil agus Gaelcholáiste nó Aonad Gaeilge dara leibhéal, agus briseadh síos ar cé mhéad acu sin a fuair iompar poiblí scoile nó deontas iompar scoile nó ar diúltaíodh dóibh ag an gcéad staid den iarratas, agus cé mhéad a lorg achomharc agus a fuair nó nach bhfuair iompar poiblí scoile nó deontas iompar scoile de thairbhe an achomhairc sin. [57566/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIs oibríocht shuntasach é Iompar Scoile atá á bainistiú ag Bus Éireann thar ceann na Roinne.
Sa scoilbhliain deiridh, iompraíodh os cionn 121,400 leanbh, lena n-áirítear os cionn 15,500 leanbh a bhfuil riachtanais speisialta oideachais acu, ar bhonn laethúil go dtí bunscoileanna agus iar-bhunscoileanna ar fud na tíre ar chostas de níos mó ná €289m in 2021.
Is é aidhm Scéim Iompair Scoile mo Roinne, ag féachaint do na hacmhainní atá ar fáil, ná chun tacú le hiompar chuig an scoil agus ón scoil de na leanaí atá ina gcónaí faoin tuath ón scoil is gaire dóibh.
Faoi théarmaí na scéime, tá leanaí incháilithe le haghaidh iompair scoile má shásaíonn siad na critéir faid (3.2km ag an mbunscoil agus 4.8km ag an iar-bhunscoil) agus má tá siad ag freastal ar an scoil/ionad oideachais is gaire mar atá socraithe ag mo Roinn/Bus Éireann, ag féachaint don éiteas agus don teanga. I dtaca leis seo, baineann an teanga leis an nGaelcholáiste nó leis an Aonad is gaire, cibé ceann an áis is gaire atá ag teagasc trí mheán na Gaeilge.
Níl teacht éasca ar an bhfaisnéis atá á hiarraidh ag an Teachta. Iarrfaidh mé ar Bhus Éireann tuairisc a chur ar fáil dom maidir leis an ábhar. Agus na sonraí curtha i dtoll a chéile, socróidh mé go gcuirfear an fhaisnéis seo ar aghaidh go dtí an Teachta chomh luath agus is féidir.
225. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which provision is being made for the accommodation of special needs' classes at schools (details supplied) given the influx of children for these places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58663/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
The NCSE is statutorily responsible for planning and coordinating provision at both a local and a national level and advising the Department in this regard.
The NCSE have advised my Department that the first school referred to by the Deputy has 2 ASD classes, which are at max capacity for the school year.
The NCSE have advised my Department that the second school referred to by the Deputy has 1 ASD class that is at max capacity. It also has 1 moderate general learning disability class, with 2 available places.
Neither school have formally applied for or expressed an interest in opening additional special classes.
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 20 new special classes at primary level and 9 new special classes at post-primary level over the last 3 years in County Kildare.
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. My Department has recently written to all post-primary schools in relation to the growing need for special classes.
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.
It is of course open to any school to engage with the NCSE to establish a special class.
I want to reassure you also that my Department 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 appropriate education.
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
226. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the degree to which she and her Department continue to assess the educational requirements in Maynooth, County Kildare with particular reference to primary and second level schools and accommodation and An Gaelcholáiste; if any particular trends have been noted with a view to addressing these; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58664/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that requirements for additional school places is kept under on-going review in the context of available information on population, enrolments and residential development activity.
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 2022 demographic exercise indicates that that 85% of the 314 school planning areas at primary level show static or decreasing enrolments for the period to 2026 compared with 2021 (i.e., SPAs which have passed peak or have growth of less than 20 pupils out to 2026). At post-primary level some 74% of school planning areas at post-primary level are anticipated to have increased enrolments for the period to 2029, with most expected to reach a peak within the next two or three years.
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.
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 most recent projections for the Maynooth School Planning Area indicate a slight increase in requirements at both primary and post primary level in the short term followed by a projected reduction in enrolments thereafter.
The requirement for additional school places is kept under on-going review in the context of available information on population, enrolments and residential development activity. Additionally, the Department will continue to liaise with Local Authorities in respect of their County Development Plans and any associated Local Area Plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across these school planning areas.
There are a number of capital projects planned in the Maynooth school planning area and when completed, will cater for the demand for school places in the area as follows:
Presentation Girls Primary School (Roll Number 00779U) Brief ; 4 classrooms, 3 Special Education Teaching rooms, reconfiguration to provide Early Intervention Unit . Stage 1 (Stage 1 is the Preliminary Design Stage where the Design Team in conjunction with the school authorities, will analyse all the constraints of the site, develop a preferred design option and ensure that the preferred option is the best option for the delivery of the brief).
Maynooth BNS (Roll Number 17341U) Brief; 24 Classroom School + 2 Special Education Needs base at Stage 4 (Stage 4 is the signing of the letter of acceptance to the successful contractor and commencement on site).
Gaelscoil Ruairí (Roll Number 20527F) Brief; 8 Classroom school + 2 classroom Special Education Needs Base. Stage 2B (Stage 2B is the Developed Design & Lodgement of Planning Permission).
Gael Coláiste Mhaigh Nuad (Roll Number 76554W) Brief; 350 pupil school + 2 Classroom Special Education Needs Base- Project Brief Stage (Project Brief stage - this includes determining the project brief and schedule of accommodation).
Recently completed capital projects :
Maynooth Community College (Roll Number 76193Q) Brief ; 1000 pupil school + 2 Classroom Special Education Needs Base. Stage 5 - December 2020 (Stage 5 is final handover of the school building to the Patron/Board of Management).
Maynooth Post Primary School (Roll Number 70700A) Brief; - 1,000 pupil school + 2 Classroom Special Education Needs Base. Stage 5 - December 2020 (Stage 5 is final handover of the school building to the Patron/Board of Management).
Maynooth ETNS (Roll Number 20292E) Brief ; 16 Classroom School + Special Education Needs Class. Stage 5 - May 2021 (Stage 5 is final handover of the school building to the Patron/Board of Management).
227. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the degree to which she and her Department continue to assess the educational needs at primary and second level in Naas, County Kildare with particular reference to the completion of promised or existing projects arising from the demographics in the area; if she is satisfied regarding the adequacy of school accommodation in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58665/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that requirements for additional school places is kept under on-going review in the context of available information on population, enrolments and residential development activity.
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 2022 demographic exercise indicates that 85% of the 314 school planning areas at primary level show static or decreasing enrolments for the period to 2026 compared with 2021. At post-primary level some 74% of school planning areas are anticipated to have increased enrolments for the period to 2029, with most expected to reach a peak within 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 most recent projections for the Naas School Planning Area indicate an increase in requirements at both primary and post primary level in the short term followed by a projected reduction in enrolments thereafter. The Department will continue to liaise with the Local Authority in Kildare in respect of its County Development Plan and any associated Local Area Plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across school planning areas including in Naas.There are six capital projects planned in the Naas school planning area and when completed, will cater for the demand for school places in the area:Mercy Convent Primary School (Roll Number 15040T) Brief : 32 Classroom School. Stage 4 (Stage 4 is the signing of the letter of acceptance to the successful contractor and commencement on site).
Scoil Chorbain (Roll Number 17254C) Brief : Extension to provide 16 classroom school with 2 Special Educational Needs Base. Stage 2b (Stage 2B is the Developed Design & lodgement of Planning Permission).
Coláiste Naomh Mhuire (Roll Number 61730I) Brief: Extension to increase capacity to LTPE 900. Stage 2b (Stage 2B is the Developed Design & lodgement of Planning Permission).
SN Mhuire (Roll Number 18055B) – Brief : 2 x Special Education Needs Base. Stage 1(Stage 1 is the Preliminary Design Stage where the Design Team in conjunction with the school authorities, will analyse all the constraints of the site, develop a preferred design option and ensure that the preferred option is the best option for the delivery of the brief).
An Linbh Iosa Roll Number 19597T – Brief: 2 x Mainstream Classroom, 2 Special Education Needs Base, 1 x Special Education Teacher space. Stage 1 (Stage 1 is the Preliminary Design Stage where the Design Team in conjunction with the school authorities, will analyse all the constraints of the site, develop a preferred design option and ensure that the preferred option is the best option for the delivery of the brief).
Recently completed capital project:
Naas Community College (Roll Number 76194S) Brief: 1,000 pupil school plus 2 Special Education Needs Base. Stage 5 - February 2022 (Stage 5 is final handover of the school building to the Patron/Board of Management).
228. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the degree to which she and her Department continue to assess the educational needs at primary and second level in Kilcock, County Kildare with particular reference to the completion of promised or existing projects arising from the demographics in the area; if she is satisfied regarding the adequacy of school accommodation in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58666/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department utilises a Geographic Information System (GIS) to support its strategic planning for capital investment. Where the geo-spatial assessment of demand and capacity in an area indicates that additional provision is required my Department considers the options of extending the capacity of a school or schools, or of providing a new school or schools. The timing and duration of the accommodation need is also considered in determining the optimum accommodation solution – for example a short-term accommodation requirement does not require a long-term accommodation solution.
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. There are currently in excess of 250 school building projects at construction (on site) with a continuous stream of other projects at or near the tendering stage. Most of which are expected to be either under construction or completed in the period up to 2025 and are being progressed as quickly as possible.
It is anticipated that 150 to 200 school building projects will be completed annually during the 2022 to 2025 period.
There are currently no issues identified which will impact on progression of projects in Kilcock. Please see attached table showing details on all building projects ongoing in Kilcock. The current status of approved projects is listed on a county by county basis on www.gov.ie and is updated on a monthly basis to reflect their progress through the various stages. My Department will continue to review all School Planning Areas with regard to any demographic changes that may result in the need for further additional school accommodation.
|
Roll_Number |
School_Planning_Area |
School_Name |
Project_No |
Roll_Number |
Total_Project_Brief |
Programme_List |
|
16706G |
Kilcock |
ST JOSEPHS NS |
209 |
16706G |
Brief for a 16 classroom school |
Large Scale Capital Programme |
|
18650P |
Kilcock |
NEWTOWN NS |
A18-081 |
18650P |
1x15m2 SET room + 4 MCR + 1 SET prefab replacement |
Additional School Accommodation Scheme |
|
18650P |
Kilcock |
NEWTOWN NS |
A21-086 |
18650P |
2 classroom SENB base @ 439m2 + 1 x 100m prefab (Sept'21) + 1 x 100m prefab (Sept'22) |
Additional School Accommodation Scheme |
|
18666H |
Kilcock |
S N TIR MOCHAIN |
A19-136 |
18666H |
3x80m2 Classroom inc en-suite toilets (Prefab replacement) |
Additional School Accommodation Scheme |
|
19897I |
Kilcock |
SCOIL UÍ RIADA |
A19-138 |
19897I |
7xMainstream classrooms inc ensuite, 3xSET room, 1x WC, 2X Staff toilets |
Additional School Accommodation Scheme |
|
61691B |
Kilcock |
Scoil Dara |
A18-082 |
61691B |
5x Mainstream classrooms & 5 x WC for assisted users, 2xScience labs &1xPrep area, 1xArt/craft room--- 4xMainstream classroom 4xWC for assisted users (Prefab replacement) |
Additional School Accommodation Scheme |
|
61691B |
Kilcock |
Scoil Dara |
A20-271 |
61691B |
Purchase of 3 x 49m2 prefabs |
Additional School Accommodation Scheme |
|
61691B |
Kilcock |
Scoil Dara |
A21-276 |
61691B |
SEN refurbishment works |
Additional School Accommodation Scheme |
