Written Answers Nos. 159-178
159. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education the number of additional ASD unit places that her Department expects to be in place for the academic year beginning September 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6231/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra160. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education the number of additional ASD unit places that her Department expects to be in place in schools in Dublin 5, Dublin 13 and Dublin 17, respectively, for the academic year beginning September 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6232/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 160 together.
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 2023, the spend by my Department on special education will be substantially increased by over 10% on last year, 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.
In 2022, funding for an additional 980 teachers and 1,165 special needs assistants was provided. For 2023, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 special needs assistants in our schools next year.
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.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide.
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.
My Department has engaged intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning for 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. As demand for new special classes at post-primary level is expected to increase significantly over the next few years, due to increasing demographics and increasing prevalence rates, my Department and the NCSE are engaging with post-primary stakeholders in relation to the provision of special classes. My Department has also previously written to all post-primary schools to advise them of the need to begin planning to provide additional special classes.
If the recent growth in the need for special classes continues, it is expected that a similar level of special classes will be needed at primary level over the next three years as have been provided over the last three years. At post-primary level however, it is expected that we will need to double the number of new special classes being provided over the next three years as compared to the last three years. In addition, it is estimated that an additional 300 special school places may be needed over each of the next 3 years.
The NCSE have sanctioned 156 new special classes at primary level and 52 new special classes at post-primary level over the last 3 years in County Dublin.
At local level, the NCSE is continuing to engage with schools regarding the establishment of additional special classes in both mainstream and special schools 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.
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.
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 education.
161. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will review the changes to the criteria for teachers partaking in online summer courses in view of the fact that it will negatively impact those wishing to participate; and if she will set out the rationale for the proposed change. [6238/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra165. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education if she will examine an issue (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6254/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra166. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education if she will consider reviewing the recent significant changes in guidelines regarding EPV day summer courses, as the previous fully online and asynchronous courses are no longer allowed; her views on the fact that these changes in guidelines limit the categories of courses that can be run and risk locking many out of professional learning; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6257/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra177. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a rationale for the changes to the EPV summer courses for primary teachers, particularly the abolition of asynchronous courses and the reduction of offline hours; if she consulted with educational stakeholders on this change; if she considered the caregiving commitments of teachers in this process; if she is committed to providing leadership to the education sector in terms of fostering a culture of continuous learning; and if she plans to reverse and or amend the decision to eradicate asynchronous courses in the interest of caregivers and accessibility. [6332/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 161, 165, 166 and 177 together.
The summer course programme for teachers contributes to the continuum of teachers’ professional learning, promotes innovation and excellence in teaching, learning and assessment, and is supportive of the goals set out as per the new national priorities. The principal objective of the summer course programme is to improve the learning experiences of teachers and to ensure that their learning has a lasting impact on pupils’ learning outcomes and experiences.
Following consideration of a review of the Summer Course Programme my Department intends to introduce some changes to the format of online summer courses. This is part of a process of improvement of CPD provision overall and to ensure that courses offered to primary teachers make a direct impact on the learning experiences and outcomes of pupils in schools.
I am aware that course providers, including the INTO, and teachers have expressed concerns regarding some of these changes. Following requests from a number of providers, my Department has met with them to discuss their concerns. These are being considered and my officials will engage further as required.
162. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding a new school for an area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6241/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following projects are currently progressing in the Newtownmountkennedy area.
Newtownmountkennedy Primary School
The major building project for Newtownmountkennedy Primary School is an amalgamation of St. Joseph’s and St. Brigid’s primary schools.
The project brief provides for the construction of a new 12 classroom building with a 2 classroom base Special Educational Needs (SEN) facility for pupils with additional needs and ancillary facilities to replace the existing St. Joseph’s Senior Primary School. The 6 classroom Junior school St. Brigid’s school is to be retained.
This project is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been secured.
A prequalification process to select a shortlist of contractors is currently in progress and the Design Team will submit a Prequalification report when available
The Stage 2(b) report is currently under review by the Department and on completion of this review and the completion of the prequalification process the Department will be in contact with the school and Design Team on the progression of this project.
Newtownmountkennedy ETNS
The site for Newtownmountkennedy ETNS was acquired by my Department in 2022
The Department has commenced the tender process for the appointment of the Project Manager for the delivery programme which includes the school in question [Newtownmountkennedy ETNS]. An Expressions of Interest notice was published on the E-tenders Portal on 14 November. The appointment of the project manager is a two-stage restricted process and it is expected that the successful project manager will be appointed in Q2 2023.
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 current enrolment, in September 2022, was 65 pupils. The building project providing permanent accommodation for the school will deliver an 8 classroom school with accommodation for children with additional needs.
In relation to post primary provision in the area, the establishment of Greystones Community College as a new regional school for the Greystones/Kilcoole area along with the completion of the building projects at St. David’s Secondary School, Greystones and Coláiste Craobh Abhann, Kilcoole will deliver capacity for a total of 2,750 post primary students in the area.
163. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education the reason the SNA hours for a person (details supplied) have been reduced from 5.5 hours to three hours, Monday to Friday; when they will be restored; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6251/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI 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 2023, the spend by my Department on special education will be substantially increased by over 10% on last year, 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.
In 2023 the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 special needs assistants in our schools next year.
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.
The NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews.
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.
The school can apply to the NCSE for a review of its SNA allocation if it is insufficient to meet the needs of its students.
Detailed information on the NCSE Exceptional Review process is published on the NCSE website. ncse.ie/application-for-sna-exceptional-review.
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 .
The Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations and the school should liaise with the NCSE directly in the event that additional supports are required.
164. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that emails from parents to SENOs in County Kildare are not being answered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6252/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of Special Needs Organisers (SENOs), for fulfilling the functions of the Council within a designated area in relation to the identification of and delivery and co-ordination of education services to children with disabilities.
The Council employs SENOs to provide a nationwide system of local services. Locally based SENOs consult widely with parents/guardians, teachers, health care professionals, school authorities, HSE and other relevant government agencies.
SENO vacancies which occurred in the South-East region were addressed by the NCSE by running a recruitment campaign, which commenced in October 2022. A new team member joined the South East team in January 2023 and the remaining applicants are undergoing clearance.
When a vacancy arises, a SENO point of contact is assigned to the area to assist schools, parents, and local services until the position is filled. Essential services are maintained through cover provided from available staffing resources. Parents are advised to consult the regional contact list to ensure they have the most up-to-date contact details of their SENO, or the SENO covering for their area. This list can be found on the NCSE website: ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.
167. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Education if she can outline the level of school transport services servicing a school (details supplied) in view of the fact that parts of this extended Gaeltacht area, such as the Baile Ghib area, appear to be excluded from the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6264/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 3,800 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €332.2m.
There is currently no mainstream service available from the Gibbstown (Bhaile Ghib) area to the school outlined by the Deputy.
Bus Éireann has advised that there are currently three mainstream school transport routes operating to this school.
Bus Éireann has also advised that no school transport applications have been received to date from families in the Baile Ghib area.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not 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.
Families who wish to avail of school transport and have their eligibility status assessed should apply before the closing date to Bus Éireann on their website at www.buseireann.ie
The closing date for school transport applications for the 2022/23 School Year was Friday, 29th April 2022
Families could still apply for school transport following this date, but if applications were late, a place on a service could not be guaranteed as many local services may be already operating to capacity.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time are now all accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Generally pupils residing in the Gibbstown (Baile Ghib) area are eligible for transport to this school. Bus Éireann have confirmed that they are currently liaising directly with the Principal in relation to this matter.
168. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Education if she will outline the factors taken into consideration when the school transport services to a school (details supplied) were decided upon, in view of the Government commitment to enabling education in Gaeltacht schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6265/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 3,800 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €332.2m.
Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
For the purposes of school transport provision, language relates to the Irish or English language. In practice this means that children who choose to attend their nearest all-Irish school/unit may be eligible for school transport to that school/unit, even if it is not their nearest school, children who choose to attend their nearest all-English school/unit may be eligible for school transport to that school/unit, even if it is not their nearest school.
A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services.
Families who wish to avail of school transport and have their eligibility status assessed should apply before the closing date to Bus Éireann on their website at www.buseireann.ie
The closing date for school transport applications for the 2022/23 School Year was Friday, 29th April 2022
Families could still apply for school transport following this date, but if applications were late, a place on a service could not be guaranteed as many local services may be already operating to capacity.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time are now all accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Temporary alleviation measures were continued for the current 2022/23 school year, pending completion of the School Transport Review. This means that 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 29 April 2022 and registered for a ticket by the 29 July 2022.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Families can contact officials in School Transport Section directly at: school_transport@education.gov.ie if they have any specific queries.
169. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if consideration will be given to enrolling children from new communities, including those under international protection, to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6281/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department continues to welcome all students arriving in Ireland. We are working with all relevant authorities, education partners and school communities to ensure all children of school-going age, who are beneficiaries of the Temporary or International Protection Directive, are provided with access to appropriate supports to allow them to continue their education in Ireland.
Guidance has issued to schools on supporting students from Ukraine and others seeking International Protection that enquire about enrolling.
All relevant information in relation to my Department’s approach and the supports in place is available on my Department’s website and is updated as appropriate. www.gov.ie/en/publication/48639-information-for-schools-ukraine/
Regional Education and Language Teams (REALT) have been established to help ensure good coordination and alignment of supports for Ukrainian children arriving in Ireland. These Education and Language Teams are hosted by the 16 regional education and training boards (ETBs) and are staffed by existing regionally-based education support personnel working closely together to ensure good coordination and alignment of supports for children seeking International Protection. My Department is liaising with the teams to ensure all necessary supports for Ukrainian and other children are provided as quickly as possible.
The primary role of the REALT is to build on existing regional education support structures and the initial focus will be on assisting families in securing school places. REALT will also support schools in the area to meet the needs of these children as they emerge, to advise and support the Department of Education in developing new capacity where required, and to co-ordinate the provision of education services to schools and families across their defined area.
These teams will ensure that clear, accessible information flows are in place between schools, local education support services and national support structures in relation to people arriving from Ukraine.
Contact information for REALT teams can be found at www.gov.ie/en/publication/48639-information-for-schools-ukraine/#regional-education-and-language-teams-realt
170. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education if it is the intention to develop a masterplan for the 9.3 acre site that has been identified for a school (details supplied) to cater for a primary school as well as the secondary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6305/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, a suitable site has been identified and the Department has reached an agreement in principle, subject to contract, for the acquisition of a site at Fassaroe, Bray, Co. Wicklow as a permanent location for the school referred to by the Deputy.
Taking into account the underlying demographic trends and the level of potential increase in school place requirements arising from the projected increased population for the Bray area as identified in the Wicklow County development Plan 2022-2028, the Department anticipates a future requirement for at least one new primary school.
The Fassaroe site will be master planned to make allowance for this future educational requirement in the area.
171. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education if there are plans to develop a new secondary school in Newtownmountkennedy, County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6306/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, for school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements.
Newtownmountkennedy is in the Kilcoole school planning area. The most recent projections indicate an increase in requirements at post primary level up to 2026 followed by a projected reduction in enrolments thereafter.
However, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
- Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area
- School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area- Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils- External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area
My Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues across school planning areas through ongoing discussions with the relevant school patrons and authorities.
This close engagement will allow my Department to identify at an early stage particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming years which may necessitate further action to that already in train including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions.
In relation to school places, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in that area.
172. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education if she will provide details of any needs assessments that have been done in respect of the provision of secondary school places to cater for the Newtownmountkennedy, Ashford and Roundwood areas of County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6307/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, for school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements.
Newtownmountkennedy is in the Kilcoole school planning area. The most recent projections indicate an increase in requirements at post primary level up to 2026 followed by a projected reduction in enrolments thereafter. Ashford is the Wicklow school planning area. The most recent projections indicate an increase in requirements at post primary level up to 2025 followed by a projected reduction in enrolments thereafter. Roundwood is situated in the Rathdrum school planning area. The most recent projections indicate that enrolments at post primary level peaked in 2021 and will steadily decrease in the coming years.
However, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
- Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area
- School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area
- Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils
- External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area
My Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues across school planning areas through ongoing discussions with the relevant school patrons and authorities.
This close engagement will allow my Department to identify at an early stage particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming years which may necessitate further action to that already in train including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions.
In relation to school places, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in that area.
173. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the construction of new school buildings at a school (details supplied) in County Donegal. [6322/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe project referred to by the deputy has been devolved for delivery to Donegal Education and Training Board (DETB).
The project is currently at Stage 3 of the delivery process and following a Departmental review of the Tender Assessment Report, approval for Stage 4 construction will follow.
At this stage, it is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of the project; Donegal ETB will be engaging directly with school authorities to keep them informed of progress.
174. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the construction of new school buildings at a school (details supplied). [6323/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe project referred to by the Deputy is at Architectural Planning Stage3 – Tender Action and Award. A tender process can take between 8-12 months to complete, subject to no issues arising.
My Department has a large pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme, including the project referred to by the Deputy. The main elements of this pipeline currently involve in excess of 1,300 school building projects for delivery under my Department’s Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme. These projects are currently in progress across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction.
My Department is currently assessing overall requirements for 2023 and associated work programme and will update individual schools of same in due course.
175. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if she will address concerns relating to the lack of home economics teachers and the lack of provision for upskilling available to home economics teachers (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6328/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2018, my Department established a Steering Group on Teacher Supply to facilitate multi-agency engagement and to lead on a coordinated programme of actions to support the supply of teachers. Arising from the work of this Group and its various substructures, the Teacher Supply Action Plan was published in November 2018.
The Action Plan called for the development of upskilling programmes in targeted subject areas for existing teachers and, following a request from my Department, the HEA issued a funding call to providers of initial teacher education for upskilling programmes in mathematics, physics and Spanish in late 2019. These were identified by the Steering Group as among the most challenging subjects in terms of teacher recruitment. Following the successful completion of the funding call, these programmes commenced in January 2021.
Upskilling programmes are provided over two years on a part-time basis. They are free of cost to participants. The first cohort of participants, approximately 170 teachers, completed these programmes in 2022 and more than 300 teachers are due to graduate in 2023. My Department has agreed to extend funding in 2023 and to provide for additional capacity.
Funding for these programmes was put in place following a competitive call to all initial teacher education providers for proposals. It is intended to commence an upskilling programme in Irish in 2023/24 and consideration will be given to programmes in other subjects. The allocation of funding for any future programmes will be dependent on a competitive process for potential providers.
Separate to the direct funding to these upskilling programmes, the Teacher Fee Refund Scheme provides funding to teachers towards the cost of participation and examination fees on successful completion of professional development courses. Funding under the scheme is being prioritised for those taking courses in particular areas, including upskilling for post primary teachers leading to registration with the Teaching Council in an additional subject. The maximum refund under the scheme is €5,000 per year and the level of refund depends on the volume of eligible applications that are received. Department Circulars 0005/2023 and 0015/2021 relate to this Scheme.
176. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Education if she will intervene in the case of a person (details supplied) and ensure this child is allocated a place in a school with an ASD unit in September 2023. [6330/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
Enabling children with special educational needs (SEN) to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government.
It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my Department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
For 2023, the spend by my Department on special education will be substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my Department will spend over €2.6 billion providing supports to children and young people with special educational needs and their schools.
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 funding to support children with SEN in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers and special needs assistants.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide.
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 mainstream, 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 208 new special classes in Co. Dublin over the last 3 years. Of these, 156 special classes are at primary level and 52 are at post-primary level.
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 which children can be supported to attend a mainstream class and with regard to 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.
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
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 .
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.
I want 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 education.
As your query refers to an individual placement case, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
178. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 121 of 1 February 2023, if she will outline in detail the way the extra €10 million allocated to school transport has been spent, providing a list of initiatives or services undertaken; the location, purpose and cost of each; the way each is alleviating the serious pressure due to lack of places; if that money allocated has been spent; if not, the reason therefor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6340/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 148,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 3,800 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €332.2m.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not 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.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time are now accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
In addition, temporary alleviation measures have been continued for the current 2022/23 school year, pending completion of the review and this means that transport is 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 29 April 2022 and registered for a ticket by the 29 July 2022.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
As part of the budgetary process, some additional funding was approved for the scheme which allowed officials in consultation with Bus Éireann to consider and evaluate where temporary additional capacity may be available.
However, it is important to stress that this is subject to capacity considerations. It has become increasingly difficult to source additional contractors due to the lack of availability of buses, drivers, and an increase in fuel and maintenance costs.
While it is not possible to provide the information in the manner requested by the Deputy, at the start of the 2021/22 school year there were circa 103,600 children on primary and post-primary mainstream school transport scheme services.
There are now currently over 130,000 children on primary and post-primary mainstream school transport scheme services. This is an increase of over 26,000 tickets issued on the 2021/2022 school year. Families from all counties have benefited from an increase in tickets issued for the current school year as Bus Éireann have sourced additional capacity where it has been possible to do so.
In addition to funding for increased capacity on the school transport scheme, funding has been secured to address the impact of the rise in the cost of fuel for contractors operating on the Department’s school transport scheme.
As the School Transport Scheme is demand led, the exact cost of additional capacity for the 2022/2023 school year it is not yet known.
