Tuesday, 21 Feb 2023

Written Answers Nos. 397-416

Teaching Qualifications

Ceisteanna (399)

Pauline Tully

Ceist:

399. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education if, considering the 2015 Teaching Council study on teacher supply which found a shortage of home economics teachers, and also that a survey (details supplied) found that home economics is the second most difficult subject to find a teacher to employ in Irish schools; if she will consider increasing the financial supports in place for post-primary teachers to upskill in order to teach home economics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8324/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

My Department is aware of the Teaching Council study and the survey referred to by the Deputy.

In 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 at post-primary level. 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 Higher Education Authority (HEA) issued a funding call to initial teacher education (ITE) providers 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 extending programmes to other subjects. The allocation of funding for any future programmes will be dependent on a competitive tender 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.

State Examinations

Ceisteanna (400)

Cathal Crowe

Ceist:

400. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if he will provide an urgent update on a re-checked Leaving Certificate exam result for a student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8326/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the state examinations.

In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

Question No. 401 answered with Question No. 387.

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna (402)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

402. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education if the minor works grant will be reinstated this year to allow schools to apply for much-needed works. [8341/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

My Department has a strong track record of delivery of school building projects and this was achieved again in 2022 notwithstanding the wider construction sector environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues.

During 2022, 180 school building projects were delivered and a further 300 continued in construction at the start of 2023 - most of which will be completed in 2023. There was also accelerated delivery of modular accommodation to facilitate additional capacity in special classes and special schools to cater for over 900 children with additional needs. In addition, there was necessary refurbishment and maintenance in nearly 1,000 schools under the Multi-annual Summer Works Scheme and the Emergency Works Scheme.

I am very appreciative of the strong support provided by Government for our education budget. As part of the supplementary budget, €300m additional capital funding was provided in 2022. This helped to alleviate capital funding pressures that arose in 2022 which was reflective of the strong delivery by the Department of school building projects – particularly to support mainstream provision and special education needs provision. My Department’s overall capital outturn for 2022 was €1.12 billion.

My Department's Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2023 in the context of its available funding. My Department's published NDP allocation for 2023 is €0.86 billion. High construction inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023. As part of its planning ahead for 2023, my Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding pressures in order to continue to be able to adequately support the operation of the school system. The timeline for the payment of the next tranche of minor grant funding to primary schools will be considered within this overall context.

My Department recognises the importance of the Minor Works Grant to primary schools. The funding provides good flexibility at local level to assist schools to manage and undertake works that support the operation of the school. This is done in order to facilitate a better lead in period for schools to plan any maintenance or minor works during the summer period.

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (403)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

403. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the estimated full-year cost of recruiting two additional WTE behaviour practitioners for the National Council for Special Education. [8363/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) employ Behaviour Practitioners to enable, support and promote the full inclusion, participation and wellbeing of all students in school and community activities by establishing and enhancing socially significant behaviours.

Their work is focused on assisting schools to:

- promote universal positive behaviour approaches,

- prevent and plan for behaviours that impact learning and prevent and

- plan and respond to behaviours of concern using The NCSE Behaviour Support Framework.

The 17 point salary scale for a WTE (whole time equivalent) behaviour practitioner ranges from €34,643 to €71,568.

Depending on their experience and qualifications, an applicant can start at any point on this scale. The midpoint of this scale is €54,750 and would be subject to ER PRSI of 11.05%.

Therefore, the estimated full-year pay cost of recruiting two additional WTE behaviour practitioners for the National Council for Special Education is approximately €121,600

School Staff

Ceisteanna (404)

Colm Burke

Ceist:

404. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education if her Department is engaging with stakeholders (details supplied) with regards to the establishment of a nationwide teacher transfer system for post primary teachers, in view that the devising of an appropriate online portal on which teachers seeking voluntary redeployment/transfer could enter their details to seek a direct swap with a matching teacher seeking the reverse relocation, wherein the establishment of such a scheme/online portal would be beneficial to the well-being of teachers, including benefitting their home and family life, and would see a reduction of large commutes by teachers and help to reduce their carbon footprint, which is in line with Irish and European Parliament position on climate targets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8373/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for each individual school authority as the employer. The deployment of teaching staff in the school, the range of subjects offered and ultimately the quality of teaching and learning are in the first instance a matter for the school management authorities.

Post primary schools employ teachers with the appropriate subject mix to provide for a range of subjects that can be offered to students. It is an important aspect of the annual timetabling process that schools work towards achieving this outcome where possible. Matching the subject mix on offer with the qualifications of individual teachers who typically have more than one subject, can be a challenging task for schools. It is important that schools as employers retain the flexibility to employ teachers with the capacity to teach varied subjects to maintain a wide range of subjects on offer to students.

The core function of the redeployment arrangements is to facilitate the redeployment of surplus permanent teachers to other schools where vacancies exist. Ensuring efficiency in the annual redeployment processes is significant in terms of managing the overall teacher numbers.

At Post-Primary level, following discussions between the relevant stakeholders, a voluntary redeployment scheme has operated on a pilot basis in specific regions in recent years. Permanent teachers employed in these regions are given an opportunity to volunteer for a transfer to other areas of the country only if such a transfer would free up a vacancy that would facilitate the redeployment of a surplus permanent teacher in the region.

The key purpose of the pilot voluntary redeployment scheme is to assist the Department to achieve its objective of redeploying all surplus permanent teachers. To date the pilot voluntary redeployment scheme has operated in 24 counties.

The teacher redeployment arrangements are reviewed annually by my Department involving the education stakeholders, including teacher unions and management bodies. As part of the review, the Education Stakeholders can raise issues or concerns with the Department in relation to the operation of the redeployment process generally. It is open to members of the school community to liaise with their representative bodies on any matters of concern they may have.

The review in respect of the 2023/24 redeployment process took place last December. The pilot voluntary redeployment scheme will operate in counties Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath for the 2023/24 school year. The criteria for the allocation of teachers to schools including the redeployment arrangements for the 2023/24 school year is available on the Department's website.

Teachers who apply under the pilot voluntary scheme and are not facilitated with a transfer continue to have the option of applying for posts in their preferred location that are advertised in the normal manner.

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna (405)

Michael Ring

Ceist:

405. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education if she will outline the situation regarding a grant (details supplied); when schools can expect payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8375/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

My Department has a strong track record of delivery of school building projects and this was achieved again in 2022 notwithstanding the wider construction sector environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues.

During 2022, 180 school building projects were delivered and a further 300 continued in construction at the start of 2023 - most of which will be completed in 2023. There was also accelerated delivery of modular accommodation to facilitate additional capacity in special classes and special schools to cater for over 900 children with additional needs. In addition, there was necessary refurbishment and maintenance in nearly 1,000 schools under the Multi-annual Summer Works Scheme and the Emergency Works Scheme.

I am very appreciative of the strong support provided by Government for our education budget. As part of the supplementary budget, €300m additional capital funding was provided in 2022. This helped to alleviate capital funding pressures that arose in 2022 which was reflective of the strong delivery by the Department of school building projects – particularly to support mainstream provision and special education needs provision. My Department’s overall capital outturn for 2022 was €1.12 billion.

My Department's Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2023 in the context of its available funding. My Department's published NDP allocation for 2023 is €0.86 billion. High construction inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023. As part of its planning ahead for 2023, my Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding pressures in order to continue to be able to adequately support the operation of the school system. The timeline for the payment of the next tranche of minor grant funding to primary schools will be considered within this overall context.

My Department recognises the importance of the Minor Works Grant to primary schools. The funding provides good flexibility at local level to assist schools to manage and undertake works that support the operation of the school. This is done in order to facilitate a better lead in period for schools to plan any maintenance or minor works during the summer period.

I can confirm to the Deputy that the standard Minor Works Grant, of €30 million, for primary schools for the current school year was paid in December 2021 plus a further €15 million enhanced Minor Works Grant was also granted in December 2021 to primary schools as part of additional support in the context of COVID-19.

School Accommodation

Ceisteanna (406)

Chris Andrews

Ceist:

406. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Education how a newly built school (details supplied) is already deemed too small before it even opens and cannot absorb students from its community; and if she can confirm, of those students offered places starting in September 2023, the number who are permanent residents within Dublin 6W. [8376/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

As the Deputy is aware capital funding was approved in 2019 for the school in question, to provide 4 mainstream classrooms and one Special Education Teaching Room. This project is currently devolved to the school authority for delivery.

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.

Having considered the projected requirements in each school planning area, my Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity within that particular area and its ability to meet any increased demand.

Where data indicates that additional provision is required at primary or post primary level, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:

- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,

- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,

- Provision of a new school or schools.

While the Department do not have information in relation to the specifics of who has been offered places at the school in question for Sept 2023 my Department has established a number of new schools in recent years which are delivering good capacity in south Dublin City:

- Harold’s Cross ETNS – 16-classroom school – established in 2019 as a regional solution for Dublin 6 Clonskeagh and Dublin 6 West school planning areas. The school currently has a staffing of Principal plus 3 mainstream class teacher plus 2 classes for children with special educational needs

- Gaelscoil Eoin – established in 2021 to cater for Dublin 2_Dublin 4 school planning area– this will ultimately be an 8-classroom school. The school currently has a staffing of Principal plus 1 mainstream class teacher

- Harcourt Terrace ETNS – established in 2018 as a regional solution for Dublin South City Centre (Dublin 2, 4 & 6) will ultimately be a 24-classroom school. The school currently has a staffing of Principal plus 4 mainstream class teachers plus 2 classes for children with special educational needs

- Shellybanks ETNS – established in 2014 as a regional solution for Dublin South City Centre (Dublin 2, 4, 6 & 8) will ultimately be a 24-classroom school – the school has a current staffing of Principal plus fifteen mainstream class teachers plus 2 classes for children with special educational needs

My Department will continue to work to advance the planned and current projects for Dublin 6 Clonskeagh and Dublin 6 West school planning areas to ensure sufficient places for both mainstream provision and for pupils with special education requirements, both for the coming academic year and into the future. My officials will continue to monitor enrolment trends, population growth, and residential development in the city and to keep school place requirements under review. In particular, the impact on school place demand of new arrivals, including Ukrainian students, will inform my Department’s assessment of school accommodation needs. Additionally there will be continued engagement with patrons and school authorities with a view to identifying at an early stage any particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming years which may necessitate further action to that already in train.

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna (407)

Cormac Devlin

Ceist:

407. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8380/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

My Department has commenced the tender process for the appointment of the Project Manager for the delivery programme which includes the school referred to by the Deputy.

The appointment of the project manager is a two-stage restricted process. An Expressions of Interest notice was published on the E-tenders Portal on 14th November. 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 school and its Patron Body will be kept informed as these steps are progressed.

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna (408)

Cormac Devlin

Ceist:

408. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8383/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

My Department can confirm that the school will remain on their current site for 2023/2024 school year. My Department will continue to address the interim accommodation requirements for the school and will continue to keep the school, through its Patron Body updated in relation to same.

My Department will not be releasing the rental costs associated for this schools accommodation as they are commercially sensitive.

School Admissions

Ceisteanna (409)

James Lawless

Ceist:

409. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education if she will address the issue of oversubscription in junior infant classes for a school (details supplied); if she has plans to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8418/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

As 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.

While the Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in the Kilcock area, 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

The Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues through ongoing discussions with the relevant school authorities. In that context, similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, the Department is engaging with patron bodies and school authorities, including those of schools in the Kilcock areas, to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming years which may necessitate further action to that already in train.

Additionally, the Department will continue to work to advance the planned and current projects in the Kilcock School Planning area and to ensure sufficient places for both mainstream provision and for pupils with special education requirements both for the coming academic year and into the future.

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna (410)

Alan Dillon

Ceist:

410. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education when a minor works grant payment will be issued to a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay with this payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8457/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

My Department has a strong track record of delivery of school building projects and this was achieved again in 2022 notwithstanding the wider construction sector environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues.

During 2022, 180 school building projects were delivered and a further 300 continued in construction at the start of 2023 - most of which will be completed in 2023. There was also accelerated delivery of modular accommodation to facilitate additional capacity in special classes and special schools to cater for over 900 children with additional needs. In addition, there was necessary refurbishment and maintenance in nearly 1,000 schools under the Multi-annual Summer Works Scheme and the Emergency Works Scheme.

I am very appreciative of the strong support provided by Government for our education budget. As part of the supplementary budget, €300m additional capital funding was provided in 2022. This helped to alleviate capital funding pressures that arose in 2022 which was reflective of the strong delivery by the Department of school building projects – particularly to support mainstream provision and special education needs provision. My Department’s overall capital outturn for 2022 was €1.12 billion.

My Department's Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2023 in the context of its available funding. My Department's published NDP allocation for 2023 is €0.86 billion. High construction inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023. As part of its planning ahead for 2023, my Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding pressures in order to continue to be able to adequately support the operation of the school system. The timeline for the payment of the next tranche of minor grant funding to primary schools will be considered within this overall context.

My Department recognises the importance of the Minor Works Grant to primary schools. The funding provides good flexibility at local level to assist schools to manage and undertake works that support the operation of the school. This is done in order to facilitate a better lead in period for schools to plan any maintenance or minor works during the summer period.

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna (411)

John Lahart

Ceist:

411. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education the progress of an application to the major capital improvement works by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8473/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

The project referred to by the Deputy is at Architectural Planning Stage 3 – 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.

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna (412)

John Lahart

Ceist:

412. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education the progress of an application to the major capital improvement works by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8474/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

My Department has a strong track record of delivery of school building projects and this was achieved again in 2022 notwithstanding the wider construction sector environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues.

There were circa. 180 school building projects delivered during 2022 and a further 273 school building projects continued in construction at the start of 2023 - most of which will be completed in 2023.

I am very appreciative of the strong support provided by Government for our education budget. As part of the supplementary budget, €300m additional capital funding was provided in 2022. This helped to alleviate capital funding pressures that arose in 2022 which was reflective of the strong delivery by the Department of school building projects – particularly to support mainstream provision and special education needs provision. My Department’s overall capital outturn for 2022 was €1.12 billion.

My Department's Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2023 in the context of its available funding. My Department's published NDP allocation for 2023 is €0.86 billion. High construction inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023. As part of its planning ahead for 2023, my Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding pressures in order to continue to be able to adequately support the operation of the school system with rollout of school building projects to construction in 2023.

Key priorities for my Department's work programme include continuing strong delivery to support the operation of the school system with particular regard to planning ahead for the 2023/24 school year and beyond and also with particular regard to supporting special needs provision. The school to which the Deputy refers is among the many school accommodation needs across the country being considered as part of this process.My Department’s overall approach is to ensure that available capacity is maximised to the greatest extent possible as part of its consideration of applications for additional accommodation. Additionally, my Department is working to ensure that projects in the pipeline for planning and delivery are focused on maximising their alignment with overall capacity requirements. Engagement with relevant patrons will be important in this regard.

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna (413)

John Lahart

Ceist:

413. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education the progress of an application to the emergency works scheme by a school (details supplied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8475/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

I would like to inform the Deputy that the school in question applied for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme to carry out repairs to the roof on the 14th of February 2023.

The emergency works project for the repairs to the roof of the school was approved on the 15th of February 2023. As this is a devolved project the responsibility for progressing the project lies with the School Authority.

School Accommodation

Ceisteanna (414)

John Lahart

Ceist:

414. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on an application for additional school accommodation forms of grant-aid by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8476/23]

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. This application is in the final stages of the assessment process by my officials. They will be in touch with the school authorities in due course.

School Curriculum

Ceisteanna (415)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Ceist:

415. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education when the NCSE policy advice on inclusive education was received by her; when she plans to publish the advice received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8496/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education

My Department received the NCSE Policy Advice paper on 12th January 2023. The Police Advice is currently under review and publication will follow shortly. The Policy Advice will be the subject of an extensive consultation process with education stakeholders and partners, as well as with disability representative organisations, and parental representatives.

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna (416)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

416. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education when applications for the Summer Works Programme 2023 will open, in particular category 5 for science laboratories; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8499/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

As the Deputy is aware, the purpose of the Summer Works Scheme is to devolve funding to individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works which, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school.

The Summer Works Scheme plays an important role in the maintenance and upgrade of the condition of our schools. It provides important opportunities for enhancing the facilities in a school such as upgrading science laboratories and enhancing the energy efficiency of schools through upgrade works to roofs, windows, heating systems etc.

I wish to advise that a funding investment of €65 million was provided in primary and post primary schools in 2022, to facilitate the delivery of 499 projects under the Summer Works Scheme.

In addition to this, it is really positive news for our schools that Budget 2023, through the Climate Action Fund, will enable the provision of Photovoltaic Panels in schools up to 6KW output. It is intended the provision of the solar panels will be fully funded for schools and the rollout programme will operate on a multi-annual basis. PV panels will assist schools with their energy needs and costs along with supporting the decarbonisation of our school buildings.

My Department's Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2023 in the context of its available funding. My Department's published NDP allocation for 2023 is €0.86 billion. High construction inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023. As part of its planning ahead for 2023, my Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding pressures in order to continue to be able to adequately support the operation of the school system with rollout of school building projects to construction in 2023.

Key priorities for my Department's work programme include continuing strong delivery to support the operation of the school system with particular regard to planning ahead for the 2023/24 school year and beyond and also with particular regard to supporting special needs provision.

As part of this planning for 2023 and beyond, my Department's officials are working on the arrangements for the next phases of the summer works programme. It is envisaged at this stage that, a new Multi-Annual Summer Works Scheme with a focus on climate action and energy conservation will be opened for new applications later in 2023 for delivery of projects on a phased basis from 2024 onwards. Schools will be notified of the details of the Summer Works Scheme as soon as practicable.