Written Answers Nos. 90-109
90. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence how many engineer corps officers serve in transformation and innovation roles at the Defence Forces headquarters or at Department of Defence level; the periods of these appointments; if his Department sent out expressions of interest for these appointments and secondments; and, if not, if he will he provide the selection criteria. [10322/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no Defence Forces’ engineer corps officers currently serving in transformation and innovation roles in Defence Forces Headquarters or in the Department of Defence level.
91. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of derelict homes on the Curragh Camp in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10484/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra92. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he intends to deal with the dereliction on the Curragh Camp in the near future; if so, the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10485/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 92 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Curragh Camp is now the Defence Forces Training Centre and as such is no longer a self contained military installation as was the case in the past. I am advised that there are sixty-two (62) vacant former married quarters properties in the Curragh Camp, County Kildare. The Deputy will also be aware, that I recently instructed that the proposed demolition of some of the building stock in the DFTC was to be reconsidered and to that end I am advised that preparatory work on the reconfiguration of those premises to single living in accommodation has commenced. It should be noted that the premises in question were built before the Building Regulations and associated standards arising from same came into effect.
In relation to the wider investment in the DFTC built infrastructure, there are several major capital projects now underway and are to commence construction in the years 2023/24 at a combined value of €38m. In addition, the Deputy may also wish to note that my Department has allocated €10m this year to the Defence Forces for the maintenance, repair and upkeep of its building stock. This devolved budget is a regular feature of the Delegated functions assigned to the Defence Forces by my Department. The individual prioritisation of specific projects to be carried out is solely a matter for the Defence Forces in keeping with the delegated nature of this budget.
93. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the capital projects that have been undertaken by his Department in Westmeath since June 2020; the funding allocated each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10546/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraVote 36 Defence is managed through a single programme with all operational outputs delivered from a single set of forces encompassing the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service. Expenditure by my Department is mainly on pay and allowances, operational costs and capital investment across the Defence Forces.
My Department does not provide capital funding on a geographic basis, with the limited exception of the funding provided from the Defence Vote in respect of Defence Forces Built Infrastructure. The following capital projects have been undertaken by my Department in County Westmeath since June 2020:
|
Year |
Capital Projects - Custume Barracks, Athlone. |
Cost |
|
2020 |
Upgrade to the Building Energy Management System. |
€0.164 million |
|
2021 |
No capital projects. |
|
|
2022 |
Enabling Works for EV Charging Points, Upgrade Works to Main Helipad. |
€0. 233 million €0.145 million |
The Deputy may wish to note that the capital projects outlined below are also scheduled for progression in the coming year in Custume Barracks, Athlone at a combined cost of €1.6 million (VAT incl):
- Replacement of EAS Hangar;
- Band Hall Heat Pump Installation;
- Main Billet Block Heat Pump Installation.
94. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education the efforts being made by her Department to ensure a person (details supplied) obtains a school place suitable to their specified educational needs. [10404/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra106. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education the efforts being made by her Department to ensure a person (details supplied) obtains a school place suitable to their specified educational needs. [10474/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 106 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 45 special classes in Co. Carlow. Of these, 30 special classes are at primary level and 15 are at post-primary level. Over the last three years, 7 new special classes at primary and 2 new special classes at post-primary have been provided.
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.
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.
95. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the announced scheme to install solar panels on all schools. [10585/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has a strong record with respect to sustainable energy in school buildings and this performance has been recognised at both National and International level with sustainable energy awards for excellence in Design and Specification.
Schools designed and built in accordance with the Department’s schools technical guidance documents, have been achieving A3 Building Energy Ratings since 2009, with current schools typically achieving up to 20% higher energy performance and 25% better carbon performance than required by the current Building Regulations. In addition, 10% of primary energy is provided via photovoltaics and infrastructure provision for electric vehicle charging.
As the Deputy is aware, Budget 2023 provided for the provision of funding from the Climate Action Fund in relation to the provision of Photovoltaic Panels in schools up to 6KW output.
This is really positive news for our schools and will assist with their energy needs and costs along with supporting the decarbonisation of our school buildings.
My officials are working closely with colleagues in the Department of Environment, Climate and Communication in relation to the arrangements for this multi-annual scheme and details will be announced in the shortest timeframe possible.
As part of planning for the rollout of this multi-annual scheme, the capacity surveys of the school system that are currently underway will also include obtaining up to date data on the number of schools that have solar panels currently. This is important preparatory work in planning for the rollout of this multi-annual scheme. The provision of the solar panels will be fully funded for schools.
More generally in relation to climate action, the Department of Education and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications established a jointly funded pathfinder programme, which is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the Planning and Building Unit in my Department. Support is also provided from Limerick Clare ETB. The programme is being used to evaluate and demonstrate the approach to energy retrofit and carbon reduction in the schools’ sector. The 2023/24 Pathfinder with 10 schools is jointly funded with a targeted budget of €40 million.
This government-funded energy retrofit pathfinder programme will target energy use and CO2 emission reduction by 51%, testing deep retrofit and low carbon heating solutions.
The pathfinder is paving the way for, and informing, a much larger schools national programme for decarbonisation and retrofit and will play a key part in meeting delivery of the Climate Action Plan.
To date 48 school projects across Ireland have been completed with an additional 16 schools currently at various stages of progress undergoing decarbonisation upgrades to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B with renewable heating systems. The funding programme to deliver these projects is almost €105m to date.
As part of commitments under the Government’s Climate Action Plan, my Department will complete its decarbonisation pathway roadmap to meet 2030 and 2050 targets for the schools sector by end of this year.
96. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 426 of 18 October 2022, if she will provide an update on the installation of the Internet at a school (details supplied); if funding and resources have been provided by her Department to ensure Internet is accessible to the entire school building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10284/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school referred to by the Deputy was recently connected to high speed broadband through the Schools Broadband Programme. The school is now on a dedicated 100Mbs fibre connection and that service is now live and operational in the school. Internal network connectivity within the school is a matter for the Board of Management of individual schools, in line with their Digital Learning Plan and particular circumstances.
My Department operates the Schools Broadband Programme at an annual cost of some €13m, providing broadband connectivity to schools through a range of technologies at the best available connectivity based on local infrastructure.
The Department is now implementing a project to provide high speed broadband connectivity through the Schools Broadband Programme for primary schools outside of the National Broadband Plan Intervention Area, and where commercial provision is neither available nor planned. That project is supported by funding under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) and is managed by HEAnet on behalf of my department.
My Department is committed to providing all primary schools with high speed broadband in 2023 through the National Broadband Plan, commercial provision, and the NRRP project.
97. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 425 of 18 October 2022, if she will provide an update on the status of a project for a school (details supplied); and the timeframe for the commencement and completion of this long awaited school build. [10285/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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 €860 million. 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. I can confirm to the Deputy that the standard Minor Works Grant, of €30 million, for primary schools for the current school year (2022/2023) 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.
With regard to the permanent school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy, a pre-planning meeting with the Local Authority was held on 30th June 2022, the discussions from which are informing the progression of the re-design and the preparation of the planning application for the school on its permanent site. The next milestone for the project will be the submission of the planning application to the local authority. The Board of Management of the school will be invited to view the plans for the new school in advance of the planning application being submitted .
In the interim, my Department will continue to liaise with the school and their patron body in relation to the school’s accommodation needs pending delivery of the permanent accommodation.
98. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education if funding from her Department's grants is due to be provided to a school (details supplied); and, if so, when it can be expected. [10286/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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 273 remained under 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 €860 million. 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.
I can confirm to the Deputy that the standard Minor Works Grant, of €30 million, for primary schools for the current school year (2022/2023) 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. The school queried was a recipient of these grants.
99. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education following the announcement in budget 2023, if she will provide an update on the roll-out of solar panels for school buildings; how solar panel providers can tender for such work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10324/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt 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. PV panels will assist schools with their energy needs and costs along with supporting the decarbonisation of our school buildings.
In respect of the roll out of PV panels, my Department's Officials are working closely with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications colleagues in relation to the arrangements for this multi-annual scheme and details will be announced in due course.
As part of planning for the rollout of this multi-annual scheme, the capacity surveys of the school system that are currently underway will also include obtaining up to date data on the number of schools that have solar panels currently. This is important preparatory work in planning for the rollout of this multi-annual scheme.
100. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Education if her Department will consider advising Bus Éireann's school transport section to move a student collection point in (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10362/23]
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 €338.9m.
Under the terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport 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.
Children are eligible for school transport if they satisfy the distance criteria and are attending their nearest post primary school/centre. Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application and ticket registration process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Bus Éireann have advised that children residing in the area referred to by the Deputy are not eligible for transport as they are not attending their closest school/centre. Therefore these pupils travel on a concessionary basis and as such, must meet the service at an agreed pick up point.
Bus Éireann have reviewed the existing pickup point and has deemed this pickup point as safe.
Parents/guardians must arrange to accompany their children to and from the pickup point of a school bus service.
101. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education her plans to provide for student teachers to be paid for the hours they work while on placement; the details of any analysis carried out by her Department in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10384/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Teaching Council, as the professional regulatory body for teaching, has statutory responsibility for the accreditation of initial teacher education programmes and for the registration of primary and post-primary teachers.
Revised standards for the accreditation of programmes of initial teacher education, Céim – Standards for Initial Teacher Education (ITE), were published by the Teaching Council in November 2020. Céim sets out the requirements that all ITE programmes in Ireland must meet in order to gain accreditation from the Teaching Council. It is also a benchmark for anybody seeking to register as a teacher in Ireland. In line with these revised standards, primary and post primary student teachers must spend between 24 and 30 weeks on school placement as part of their ITE programme.
During school placement, student teachers are welcomed and supported by HEI tutors, school principals, class teachers and the school community. It provides student teachers with an opportunity to reflect on their identity as teachers, to develop it and become socialised into the profession. It is underpinned by a shared professional understanding that collaborative engagement with school placement provides professional learning opportunities for all involved.
I want to acknowledge the key role played by student teachers in supporting schools in recent years by providing substitution cover. This support was vitally important to ensure that our schools remained open for pupils.
An amendment to the Teaching Council Registration Regulations in December 2021 enabled the registration of student teachers who have successfully completed the first two years of an accredited undergraduate Initial Teacher Education programme to apply for registration with the Council. At present, in excess of 2,500 student teachers are registered under this route.
Student teachers can, if they wish, still support schools by providing substitution cover when they have availability outside of their ITE programme requirements.
Students providing substitution cover, outside of their ITE programme requirements, will be paid at their appropriate personal rate.
However, there are no plans to introduce payment to student teachers during their periods of school placement as part of their ITE programme requirements
102. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education the school planning area in which a household is located (details supplied); if there are enough primary school places available in this school planning area for those children whose parents wish for them to commence a mixed-sex education beginning in the academic year 2023-2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10394/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area.
Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
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.
Donnycarney is in the Beaumont_Coolock D5 Planning 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
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.
103. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education the school planning area in which a household is located (details supplied); if there are enough primary school places available in this school planning area for those children whose parents wish for them to commence a primary school education beginning in the academic year 2023-2024; if her attention has been drawn to reports that there are already waiting lists for the primary schools in this school planning area and adjacent school planning areas; if she will take on board the concerns of parents who cannot find school placements for their children in this locality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10395/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area.
Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
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.
Balgriffin, Dublin 13 is located in the Donaghmede_Howth_D13 Planning 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
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.
104. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education if schools can refuse a child a place in a special class for children with autism based on continence issues, despite a recommendation for a place in such a class being made by a clinical psychologist.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10423/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and if the Deputy wishes to share the details of this particular child with me I will arrange to have the matter referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
In relation to the general position regarding school admissions and SNA support I would like to advise the following:
The type of significant care needs that pupils may have can be varied, depending on the nature or level of the disability or sensory impairment that a child may have. My Departments Circular Letter 30/2014 provides examples of the primary care needs which would be considered significant – and which might require Special Needs Assistant support. The examples provided include assistance with toileting and general hygiene, in cases where a child with special needs cannot independently self-toilet, and until such time as they are able to do so.
The Special Needs Assistant 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.
The care needs must be of such significance that they are beyond that which would normally be expected to be provided to a child by the child’s class teacher, support teacher, or other school teachers, or beyond the level of assistance which could be offered to the student by his/ or her fellow pupils in school.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of Special Needs Assistants. 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 NCSE Special Education Needs Organisers (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
In relation to school admissions, 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.
Under the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, all schools have admission policies, which are published on the schools website. Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process will be necessary.
The selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. Nonetheless, where a school is oversubscribed some pupils may not obtain a place in the school. The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for the schools themselves. My Department does not seek to intervene in the selection criterion that is applied by schools.
105. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if there are initiatives to promote the switch of any of the single-sex schools at primary level to co-educational in a school planning area (details supplied) or in the adjoining school planning areas; the supports which her Department offers to facilitate such a switch; and if the lack of a co-educational option in a school planning area can be a reason for planning additional accommodation. [10424/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the decision-making authority in respect of the status of existing schools, including whether they are single or mixed gender, belongs to the Patron, subject to the agreement of my Department.
New schools which are established by my Department to meet demographic need (primary and post-primary) are mixed gender in nature. Co-educational schools provide greater flexibility than single sex schools in terms of meeting demographic and school accommodation requirements in an area. Single-gender provision may, however, be made if there is an identified imbalance between the capacities of single-gender schools in the area.
Under Project Ireland 2040, my Department continues to make progress to increase the infrastructural capacity in the schools sector, in order to meet demographic and other demands.
The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040 may be viewed on my Department's website, at www.gov.ie, and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, including accommodation for pupils with special educational needs, if required, for schools where an additional enrolment need has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed. Schools approved for co-education can apply under this scheme for funding for toilets to facilitate the change of status.
107. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education if she has an opening date for the new build for a school (details supplied) at a location in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10480/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe major construction project for the school referred to by the Deputy commenced on site in October 2020. Works are progressing satisfactorily on site and it is anticipated that the school will be ready for occupation in quarter 2 2023.
108. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education her advice for parents whose children have been refused a school place in all of their local primary or secondary schools due to oversubscription; the options available to these parents and their children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10491/23]
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.
While the Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in the certain school planning areas, 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, throughout the country, 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 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.
109. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education if Internet access will be provided throughout an entire school (details supplied); when this will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10502/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school referred to by the Deputy was recently connected to high speed broadband on the schools broadband programme. The school is now on a dedicated 100mbs fibre connection and that service is now live and operational in the school. Internal network connectivity within the school is a matter for the Board of Management of individual schools, in line with their Digital Learning Plan and particular circumstances.
My Department operates the Schools Broadband Programme at an annual cost of some €13m, providing broadband connectivity to schools through a range of technologies at the best available connectivity based on local infrastructure. The department is now implementing a project to provide high speed broadband connectivity through the Schools Broadband Programme for primary schools outside of the National Broadband Plan Intervention Area, and where commercial provision is neither available nor planned. That project is supported by funding under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) and is managed by HEAnet on behalf of my department. My department is committed to providing all primary schools with high speed broadband in 2023 through the National Broadband Plan, commercial provision, and the NRRP project.
The delivery of high quality internet connectivity for all schools is a key objective of my Department. It is accepted that good connectivity is essential to ensure that schools are facilitated to progress the embedding of digital technologies in teaching and learning and for the implementation of new and revised curriculum.
