Tuesday, 28 Feb 2023

Written Answers Nos. 360-373

Disadvantaged Status

Ceisteanna (361)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

361. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education the number of DEIS schools in County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10015/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) is a key initiative of my Department to address concentrated educational disadvantage at school level. My Department provides a wide range of supports to all schools, DEIS and non-DEIS, to support the inclusion of all students and address barriers to students achieving their potential. Supplementing these universal supports, the DEIS programme provides a targeted and equitable way to address concentrated educational disadvantage at school level, that promotes equity across the primary and post-primary sector.

In March 2022 I was glad to be able to announce a major expansion of the DEIS programme. This means that, for the first time since 2017, the programme has been significantly expanded to include an additional 322 schools. This means that the DEIS programme now supports over 240,000 students in over 1,200 schools addressing educational disadvantage.

In the 2022/2023 school year there are currently 32 Primary schools and 11 Post-Primary schools in the DEIS Programme, in County Wexford.

A copy of the breakdown of all schools included in the DEIS programme in the 2022/2023 school year is available on gov.ie at www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/4018ea-deis-delivering-equality-of-opportunity-in-schools/#deis-schools-2022-2023.

This recent expansion will add an additional €32million to my Department’s expenditure on the DEIS programme from 2023, bringing the overall Department of Education allocation for the programme to €180million.

I am very conscious of the benefits of the DEIS programme. Analysis has shown that since the programme began in 2006, it has helped to close the gap in achievement between schools serving the highest levels of educational disadvantage and those serving populations with little or no disadvantage. It has provided children who come to education at a disadvantage with an equitable opportunity to achieve their potential in education.

However, the extension of the DEIS programme to new schools is just one component of work in my vision for an inclusive education system which supports all learners to achieve their potential. While the DEIS programme supports those schools with the highest levels of concentrated educational disadvantage, I also recognise that there are students at risk of educational disadvantage in all schools. Since June 2020, and over the past three budgets, I have secured funding to provide measures to support children in this regard. As part of Budget 2023, I announced over €50 million to provide free books to primary school pupils within the free education scheme from next September. I have also further improved the staffing schedule for all primary schools to 23:1, the lowest it has ever been.

Following the National Census 2022 held on the 3rd April last, it is envisaged that an updated HP Deprivation Index will be generated by Pobal and will be available in Q3 of 2023. My Department will engage with Pobal in relation to this process. The updated HP Deprivation Index, when available, will be considered by my Department to help inform future resource allocation to tackle educational disadvantage.

The next phase of work will consider all schools, within and outside the DEIS programme and explore the overall allocation of resources to schools to tackle educational disadvantage. Part of this programme of work will involve consultation with relevant stakeholders over the coming months.

School Textbooks

Ceisteanna (362)

Alan Farrell

Ceist:

362. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education if she can provide an update on how the free book scheme for primary school children will be rolled out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10018/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

As part of Budget 2023, I announced over €50 million to provide free books to primary school pupils within the free education sector from September 2023. This measure will eliminate the cost to these families for all school books at primary school, including workbooks. It delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to extend the free school book pilot, currently in over 100 DEIS primary schools, as resources permit. The free primary schoolbooks scheme will benefit up to 540,000 pupils in approximately 3,240 primary schools, including over 130 special schools.

The implementation of the scheme will build on the existing school book rental scheme which is available in some 96% of primary schools and on the free school books pilot provided to over one hundred primary DEIS schools in recent years. Schools currently buy books directly from school book suppliers as part of the implementation of the school book rental scheme. It is currently planned on the basis that funds will be provided directly to schools to purchase schoolbooks and related classroom resources.

My Department has been engaging with relevant stakeholders including teacher unions, management bodies and representatives of school book publishers and booksellers, in order to inform and plan for the roll out of the scheme. This engagement had already commenced at the end of 2022 and is continuing over the coming weeks.

Guidance for primary schools on the free schoolbooks scheme is being developed. The scheme will seek to ensure that value for money is achieved, and that schools will be supported to implement the scheme in a way that has the best learning outcomes for pupils. Schools will continue to have autonomy to choose books that meet curricular requirements. The Guidance, together with the funding, will be provided to schools to support the purchase of the books and resources in time for the start of the 2023/24 school year. It is recognised that this work will have to commence in schools after the Easter break.

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (363)

Alan Farrell

Ceist:

363. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education the number of schools in Dublin Fingal have applied to open special classes to accommodate students for the 2023-2024 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10019/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education

I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:

Enabling children with special educational needs (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.

In total there are 474 special classes in Co. Dublin. Of these, 367 special classes are at primary level and 107 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.

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 have engaged with post-primary stakeholders in relation to the provision of special classes. The Department has also previously written to all post-primary schools in October 2022 to advise them of the need to begin planning to provide additional special classes. It is envisaged that all post-primary schools will be required to provide special classes over the next 3 to 5 years, with an approximate average of 4 special classes in each school.

If the recent growth in the need for special classes continues, it is expected that a similar level of new 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.

The NCSE has advised my Department that it continues to work with schools to ensure that there are sufficient places available in special classes to meet the needs of children. It is expected that the NCSE will confirm where new special classes at primary and post-primary level have been sanctioned for the coming school year over the next few weeks. This is in keeping with timelines in previous years

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.

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna (364)

Alan Farrell

Ceist:

364. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education if she will consider appointing a liaison from the buildings department to assist the principals in the building of new schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10020/23]

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 remained under construction at the start of 2023 - most of which will be completed this year.

In the case of large scale capital projects for new schools, my Department typically funds the provision of project managers and/or building officers as appropriate to the delivery mechanism combined with clerks of works in order to assist with the delivery of these projects.

School Equipment

Ceisteanna (365)

Alan Farrell

Ceist:

365. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education if her Department will undertake the tendering process for staff equipment such as evacuation chairs in order that individual schools do not have to undertake this work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10021/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

Procurement of staff equipment such as evacuation chairs is dealt with at local school level and my Department has no plans to change this approach.

Guidance and advice to schools on procurement matters is provided by the Schools Procurement Unit. Dedicated procurement supports and frameworks are generally focussed on large scale and/or more complex procurement matters such as large-scale school building projects or commonly used services such as heating and electricity supplies for schools etc.

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (366, 367)

Frankie Feighan

Ceist:

366. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Education the number of children with autism in County Roscommon that are waiting for primary and secondary school places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10056/23]

Frankie Feighan

Ceist:

367. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Education the number of school places that will be made available in County Roscommon for 2023 and in 2024 for children with autism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10057/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 366 and 367 together.

I 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.

There are currently 34 special classes in Co. Roscommon. Of these, 23 special classes are at primary level and 11 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.

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 have engaged with post-primary stakeholders in relation to the provision of special classes. The Department has also previously written to all post-primary schools in October 2022 to advise them of the need to begin planning to provide additional special classes. It is envisaged that all post-primary schools will be required to provide special classes over the next 3 to 5 years, with an approximate average of 4 special classes in each school.

If the recent growth in the need for special classes continues, it is expected that a similar level of new 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.

The NCSE has advised my Department that it continues to work with schools to ensure that there are sufficient places available in special classes to meet the needs of children. It is expected that the NCSE will confirm where new special classes at primary and post-primary level have been sanctioned for the coming school year over the next few weeks. This is in keeping with timelines in previous years.

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.

Question No. 367 answered with Question No. 366.

School Transport

Ceisteanna (368)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

368. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if consideration has been given to extending free school transport for the 2023-2024 academic year, given the ongoing effects of the cost-of-living crisis on families and the significant demand for school transport in rural communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10090/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

The 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 €338.9m.

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 29th April 2022 and registered for a ticket by the 29th 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.

For the 2023/2024 school year, reduced charges of €50 per student at primary level and €75 per student at post-primary level will apply, with a cap per family of €125. This means that ticket holders will save up to €50 at primary and €275 at post-primary, with an overall reduction in the family maximum contribution of €525 compared to the fees for 2021/2022 school year. This reduction in fees is at a cost of €49m.

Planning for the operation of the school transport scheme for the 2023/24 is expected to be completed shortly. Bus Éireann will advertise the details of the 2023/2024 school year process through their website and social media platforms. Details will also be available on gov.ie/schooltransport.

Eligible children holding valid medical cards and eligible children with special educational needs remain exempt from paying the annual charge.

Home Schooling

Ceisteanna (369, 370)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

369. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the number of home tutors registered with the Teaching Council; the number of home tutors currently working; the demand for home tutors and the rate of turnover of home tutors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10097/23]

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

370. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education if a central database of home tutors is available; if there is a formal platform to link home tutors with parents, guardians and children seeking home tutors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10098/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 369 and 370 together.

The Home Tuition Grant Scheme is available to provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of specific reasons, are unable to attend school.

The aim of the Department is to meet the needs of families and to ensure every child is allocated a suitable school placement. The preferred approach is that children are educated in school settings where children may have access to fully qualified teachers, individualised education programmes, special needs assistants, school curriculum with the option, where possible and appropriate, of full or partial integration and interaction with student peers.

Accordingly, home tuition is provided as an interim measure only for children for whom a placement in a recognised school is not currently available and should not be regarded as an optional alternative to a school placement.

The Special Education Needs Home Tuition Scheme provides funding towards a compensatory educational service for children with special educational needs for whom such a placement is not available. The scheme also provides for early educational intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), who meet the scheme’s criteria, aged from 2.5 - 5 years before they start in school.

The applicable criteria under which children qualify for Home Tuition support are set out in Circular 0046/2022.

Home tutors are engaged by the parents/guardian of the child who is to receive tuition and the tutor has no contractual relationship with the Department of Education. As tuition takes place outside the usual school structure it is important that home tutors are qualified to provide an educational programme relevant to the sector the child is in.

Accordingly, it is a condition of the scheme that parents/legal guardians recruit a tutor who is qualified in the sector in which tuition is being provided, and is registered with the Teaching Council for the duration of the approved tuition. Where all efforts have failed to secure the services of a teacher qualified to teach in the sector concerned, the Department may consider the engagement of a person who is registered with the Teaching Council and has a primary degree (minimum Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications) in a relevant area, e.g. Psychology.

As set out in Circular 0046/2022 it is the responsibility of the parent/legal guardian to source a tutor at the earliest possible opportunity to allow for applications for registration/vetting to be made by the tutor to the Teaching Council, if necessary. This Department does not keep lists of tutors available to carry out home tuition, however to help parents source a home tutor for this scheme in their local area, the Irish Primary Principals' Network (IPPN) has created a Home Tuition Notice board for Parents to help them source a suitable candidates. This notice board is available on www.educationposts.ie. It may also be helpful to contact local schools in the first instance, or alternatively, the Department is aware that many parents use education provider websites to advertise for tutors or indeed place advertisements in local newspapers or on shop/community notice boards.

There are currently over 750 Tutors providing Home Tuition to 1150 children who are in receipt of home tuition for the 2022/23 school year. The Department does not have data regarding the current demand of home tutors and the turnover of home tutors, as home tuition is intended to be a short term intervention.

Question No. 370 answered with Question No. 369.

Public Procurement Contracts

Ceisteanna (371)

Neasa Hourigan

Ceist:

371. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education the awards made both with and without a tender process to management consultancy firms (details supplied) by her Department and aegis bodies for each of the years 2018 to 2022 inclusive, in tabular form and classed by firm; the purpose and a brief description of the awards; the value of the awards and the total amounts paid; the timeline or timeframe of the contracts; and the desired or completed output. [10109/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

Information in relation to consultancy expenditure in my Department is compiled annually and published online at www.gov.ie/en/collection/department-of-education-and-skills-expenditure-on-consultancy/.

The data in respect of 2022 is being compiled at present and will be published online as soon as it is available.

The information in respect of state bodies within the scope of the Deputy’s question is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document should the Deputy wish to contact them directly with this query.

Contact E-Mail Addresses for State Bodies under the Remit of the Department of Education as at 03 February 2023

Name of Body	Dedicated Email address for the Members of the Oireachtas	Designated Official Responsible for assisting Oireachtas Members
An Chomhairle um Oideachais Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
Educational Research Centre	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment Note 1	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
State Examinations Commission	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
The Teaching Council	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
National Council for Special Education	[e-mail]	[e-mail] and [e-mail]
Residential Institutions Statutory Fund – Caranua	[e-mail]	[e-mail]

Public Procurement Contracts

Ceisteanna (372)

Neasa Hourigan

Ceist:

372. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education the awards made both with and without a tender process to an organisation (details supplied) by her Department and aegis bodies for each of the years 2018 to 2022 inclusive, in tabular form; the purpose and a brief description of the awards; the value of the awards and the total amounts paid; the timeline or timeframe of the contracts; and the desired or completed output. [10127/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

CONTRACTS AWARDED TO MICROSOFT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BETWEEN 2018 -2022

NAME	€ AMOUNT PAID 2018 – 2022	PURPOSE/OUTPUT
MICROSOFT IRELAND OPERATIONS LTD	253,855.02	PROVISION OF IT PREMIER SUPPORT AND SERVICES *

* This is a sole supplier procurement purchase as this service can only be purchased directly from Microsoft, it cannot be purchased through a Microsoft reseller.

The information in respect of state bodies, within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document, should the Deputy wish to contact the aegis bodies directly with her query.

Contacts

EU Meetings

Ceisteanna (373)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

373. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education when the next EU Council meeting of education ministers will take place. [10171/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

The next meeting of the Council (Education, Youth, Culture and Sport) will take place on March 7th 2023.