Written Answers Nos. 67-85
67. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education when the results for Leaving Cert 2023 will be issued; what the difficulty is with giving students a date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22877/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhilst the State Examinations Commission (SEC) is responsible for the operation, delivery and development of the State examinations, I am very much aware of the importance for students, parents and education stakeholders of ensuring that the results for Leaving Certificate 2023 are delivered in as timely a manner as possible.
While the SEC is not yet in a position to confirm the date for the Leaving Certificate 2023 results, my strong preference is to see results for Leaving Certificate 2023 issue within the month of August.
Last year was the first time since 2019 that written State examinations were undertaken by all students. The date for issue of results was influenced by a number of factors. These included a challenge in recruiting sufficient examiners, the welcome provision of a set of deferred examinations at Leaving Certificate for candidates who experienced illness or bereavement, and the implementation of a post-marking adjustment to give effect to the commitment that results in 2022 would be no lower in the aggregate than in the previous year.
All of these factors remain part of the planning for the 2023 examinations.
For 2023, in relation to the recruitment of examiners, the SEC has been undertaking a review of this issue with all of the post-primary stakeholders. The objective is to substantially increase the number of teachers involved. The SEC’s recruitment campaign for written examiners is ongoing and a new recruitment hub has been launched at secexaminer.ie. In recent years there have been increases in the rates paid to examiners and the SEC have again received additional funding for these rates for 2023.
A set of deferred Leaving Certificate examinations will be provided again this year for candidates who experience illness or bereavement. For this year, the SEC issued Circular S34/22 to schools on the 27th April setting out the criteria for accessing the deferred examinations. A key change for 2023 is that the criteria set out in the circular now include provision for a situation where a candidate experiences an extreme medical emergency after they have commenced the examination. This follows a review by the SEC of the operation of the deferred exams in 2022.
I have also previously confirmed that there would be no “cliff edge” for this year’s students in relation to grades. It is expected that this will require a post-marking adjustment, and this is also part of the planning ongoing for the 2023 examinations.
Every effort will be made to ensure that the results of the examinations are available in time to meet the needs of candidates and end users, notwithstanding the challenges and student-centred requirements that must be managed. Sufficient time must also be allowed for the range of checks and quality assurance procedures which are required in the resulting process. It is of vital importance for students, and indeed for other stakeholders, that the procedures are given sufficient time to execute to the highest standards.
68. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education what, if any, review there has been on the operation of the “infant hour; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22915/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Primary Curriculum Framework launched on the 9th March 2023, sets out the vision; principles; key competencies; structure; approaches to learning, teaching, and assessment; and suggested time allocations of the Primary School Curriculum.
The suggested time allocations are 5 hours 40 minutes at first to sixth class and 4 hours 40 minutes at junior and senior infants. A minimum curriculum time built on a weekly and monthly basis and flexible time built on a monthly basis are set out.
Minimum curriculum time sets out the least time weekly that must be allocated for language, mathematics, and wellbeing, and a monthly minimum time allocation based on a period of four weeks, for science, technology, and engineering education; social and environmental education; and arts education.
The time allocations are intended to be used flexibly, in order to embrace integrative learning, avail of unexpected learning opportunities, pace learning in response to children’s needs, and support immersive and engaging learning experiences.
Children in junior and senior infant classes may have a school day that is one hour shorter than the length of the normal school day. This is a concession in the interests of young children and allows for a perceived inability on their part to sustain the work of the full day.
There is a focus on welcoming junior infants to schools and a wide range of resources and support materials have been provided by my Department as well as the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to support this group.
Circular 11/95 ‘Time in school’ sets out a typical school day for Infant classes is 4 hours and 40 minutes and senior classes 5 hours and 40 minutes, with appropriate recreation of 30 minutes. The circular allows for discretion for all primary schools to place First class on infant hours. The decision to apply this concession rests with the Board of Management. Such decisions should be dictated by the educational interests of the children. The concession is designed to take the age, maturity level and cognitive ability of younger children into account.
In the context of the needs of the new primary curriculum framework that was launched in March the current provisions in circular 11/95 relating to the ‘infant hour’ will be reviewed. This will take into account the implementation plans for the new framework including consultation with education partners.
69. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if she can clarify, in relation to delays with certain school building projects, when a project is at the stage where a tender report is under review by her Department; if consideration is given during this review of the possibility of builders or other contractors pulling out of the project because of protracted delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22846/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has a proven track record of delivery, with over 180 projects completed last year within a challenging construction sector environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues. This year alone, in excess of 300 school building projects are currently under construction, including 40 new school buildings and 260 projects at existing schools.
Under Project Ireland 2040, we are investing €4.4 billion over the period 2021 to 2025, to add capacity and develop and upgrade school facilities across the country for the almost one million students and over 100,000 staff that learn and work in our schools every day.
Key priorities for my Department are supporting the operation of the school system and adding necessary capacity to cater for special education needs provision, mainstream demographics and catering for students from Ukraine and other countries under the International Protection system.
As you are aware, an agreement was secured with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in recent weeks to guarantee and support the rollout and continuation of my Department’s ambitious school building programme. The agreement reached on 5th April is facilitating the continued rollout of urgently required school building projects in both mainstream and special education settings, including the 58 projects that were temporarily paused due to capital funding pressures.
Officials from my Department have updated each of the 58 schools in relation to the formal arrangements and next steps in respect of the delivery of their individual projects.
The current status of all projects is listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie and is updated on a regular basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
The impact of inflation on tenders for school building projects has been seen throughout the latter half of 2021, across 2022 and to date in 2023. This has been particularly acute since the invasion of Ukraine.
My Department is working proactively to ensure that all school building contracts are awarded and progressed as expeditiously as possible, while working within the parameters set by the Office of Government Procurement and principles of public procurement set out at both national and EU level.
Project Management and procurement by its nature can be detailed and complex and my Department is very conscious of the need to support the school system with good procurement guidance and arrangements to facilitate strong National Development Plan rollout.
In this regard, my Department has a suite of consultant and contractor frameworks in place to support the rollout of school building projects. This is also supported through professional support for key delivery partners such as Education and Training Boards and other stakeholders in the form of Project Manager and Buildings Officer resources.
70. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education if all children attending a special school will be facilitated on the school-based summer programme 2023, if this is their choice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22626/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for this question - it give me an opportunity to update the House on this very important scheme for children with special educational needs.
Minister Foley and I secured funding of €40m in the budget last year to ensure that a comprehensive summer programme would be available in 2023. This builds on the successful summer programmes which ran in 2021 and 2022. Full details of the programme were published on 9th February 2023. These earlier announcements, initially in the Budget and then in February, were to support schools and staff to plan for the summer programme much earlier that was possible in previous years.
I am delighted to say that all schools, once again, have an opportunity to run a programme for those children for whom this support would be most beneficial. Our main priority in 2023 is that those children with the most complex educational needs, especially in special schools, should have access to a school-based summer programme.
The terms and conditions for this year are being implemented following a comprehensive review and engagement with education partners, parents, schools and other stakeholders. My Department has listened to the feedback and designed this year's programme to encourage more schools and staff to participate.
In 2023, we have introduced a new pilot Special School Summer Programme, which has been designed to ensure supports and funding are targeted to enhance the availability of the school-based programme in this setting.
The summer programme is reliant on schools and their staff choosing to participate on a voluntary basis. As part of this pilot, a National Coordinator has been introduced to liaise with special schools to help facilitate them in running a programme.
To address staffing needs, a portal is available on Educationposts.ie for teachers, SNAs, student teachers and other students in relevant disciplines to register their interest in working on the programme this year. There are over 1,500 personnel registered as a resource to schools, and it is hoped that this will be of huge benefit to schools who may be experiencing staffing challenges in running a summer programme.
A series of live recorded webinars were delivered to all schools to encourage and support them in their preparations, and recordings are available on the Department’s website. Further training for special schools is also taking place.
This year’s programme builds on the progress that has been made over the last number of years, which has seen participation of children grow from 13,000 in 2019 to over 42,000 in 2022. The measures introduced this year are proving successful and based on registration to date, it is anticipated that there will be a 20% increase on the overall figures and a 50% increase on the number of special schools participating in 2023.
Where a place on the school-based programme is unavailable, the Home Based Summer Programme is available again this year for those pupils with complex special education needs. All schools have been emailed directly with full details.
I also recognise that the Home Based Programme doesn’t work for every child. That is why the role of the National Coordinator was established with a particular focus on increasing the participation of special schools. This is bearing fruit with interest being expressed by a significantly greater number of special schools in 2023 than before. In future years, we envisage more schools taking part as the Summer Programme continues to develop.
Also, this year we are promoting the Private Group Provider element of the Home based programme where groups and organisations can seek funding to provide programmes, with staffing profiles similar to special classes, and these can support children with more complex needs. My Department is currently engaging with a number of interested groups to develop this service in different parts of the country where it is needed the most.
71. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education if the OECD 'Education at a Glance' Report, which ranked Ireland 36th out of the 36 countries in terms of investment in second level education as a percentage of GDP, has been drawn to her attention. [22563/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, senior academics and other independent analysts have raised questions regarding the use of GDP as the most appropriate measure of the size of the Irish economy. My department published a paper on this matter in October 2022 to assist users of these statistics to understand this issue. This paper is available on www.gov.ie under OECD briefing notes.
The paper outlines how the very large increase of 34% in GDP between 2014 and 2015 raised questions about the usefulness of GDP as an accounting standard for Ireland and its distorting effects on measures such as spend per capita on education. In order to help in analysis of the Irish macroeconomy and in the derivation of other such development indicators, a special measure, GNI-Star (GNI*), which excludes these distorting factors by (for example) excluding the net profits of companies that have been sent abroad, rather than staying in the Irish economy. GNI* has been calculated by the Central Statistics Office (2016) and is available as a continuous series (alongside GDP) from 1995. For context, according to the CSO, in 2021 GNI* was about 30 per cent below the level of GDP. An indication of the more appropriate value of GNI* versus GDP is that GNI* is now being used instead of GDP in national policy for example, the National Development Plan, 2021-2030. The Department of Finance uses GNI* in meeting the Government’s European budgetary requirements with debt-to-GNI* figures rather than debt-to-GDP.
The briefing paper referenced above outlines how, using the alternative measure of GNI*, education expenditure in 2019 as a percentage of GNI* stood at 5.3%. This compares favourably to the OECD average for education expenditure as a percentage of national income, which stood at 4.9% in 2019. The document also looks at Ireland’s spend on education as a percentage of total Government spending and this also compares well internationally.
Since 2019, funding for school level education has increased by around €1.6 billion or 19%. The current Department of Education budget at over €10 billion in 2023 indicates very strong investment by Government. The Department’s budget is the third largest across Government.
Input measurement is just one element in examining education systems. Other measures, such as indicators that examine the quality of the system, outputs, and outcomes are important in making international comparisons and assessing the performance of Ireland’s schools and the wider education system.
In PISA, the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment, Irish 15-year olds continue to perform to a very high level in reading literacy. I am particularly encouraged by our very high standard in reading, where Ireland is placed amongst the highest achieving countries, with only three countries/economies significantly above us. This reflects the significant efforts put into delivering on the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy. Other studies over the years such as NAMER and PIRLS have also highlighted the good performance of the Irish education system.
In Education at a Glance 2022, the enrolment rates among Irish 15-19-year olds in 2020, at 90%, exceed the OECD and EU22 averages and place Ireland seventh. Our progression rates to higher education are also of a world standard. Ireland shares, in common with some other OECD countries, a pronounced pattern of completion of upper-secondary education and commencement of further and higher education around the age of 18.
As Minister for Education, I have been determined to do everything possible to ensure that all our children and young people receive the highest standard of education. Over the last three years I have delivered substantial increases in investment in our Education system and I remain committed to this vision of a world class education system for all.
72. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the serious financial crisis caused to a school (details supplied) by the failure of her Department to allocate the normal financial assistance to them for the 52 children (a one third increase) currently attending their school who are Ukrainian refugees or from asylum seeker families based locally; and if she will intervene to ensure that the school are urgently provided with the necessary financial assistance that they require. [22595/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll schools in the country have responded in a hugely positive manner in response to the increase in enrolment of children from Ukraine and IPAS children. In the case of this school, my Department has allocated an additional three mainstream class teachers due to the increased enrolments of these children. In addition, the school has been allocated 50 hours per week to support new entrant pupils who have English as an additional language and 13 extra special education teaching hours.
My Department provides funding to all recognised schools in the Free Education Scheme by way of per capita grants. These grants are based on recognised enrolments in September of the relevant school year.
The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs including heating, lighting etc. and the Ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. These grants may be regarded as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities.
In addition, as part of the Cost of Living measures introduced in Budget 23, €90 million has been provided in once-off additional funding to support increased running costs for recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme, in particular in dealing with challenges they face in the light of rising energy costs. This additional grant was paid at the rate of €75 per pupil at Primary level. Enhanced rates were also paid in respect of pupils with Special Educational Needs.
In addition to this 40% increase in grant funding in Budget 2023 to cover increased running costs, my Department has been supporting schools to access lower prices for some time. Significant work has been carried out at Department level in order to support all schools in their procurement and use of energy supplies.
My Department has ensured in recent years that centrally negotiated rates were made available to schools for electricity and bulk heating fuels through frameworks sourced by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). Central rates are fixed for gas and electricity for those availing of those arrangements at present.
The school referred to by the Deputy has received a total of €64,537 in capitation related funding for the 2022/23 school year to date. This includes €21,392in Capitation funding, €17,761 in respect of the Ancillary Grant, €12,859 in respect of Covid-19 and €12,525 in respect of the Cost of Living Grant. The school has also received funding of €47,000 for emergency works this year, bringing its funding for these costs to over €111,000. The schools is also in receipt of other payments from the Department such as school books funding, DEIS funding etc.
My Department has been in contact with this school regarding their financial circumstances since February 2023 and I can also confirm that the Financial Service Support Unit (FSSU) have been in direct contact with the school.
Officials in my Department and the FSSU are currently completing an assessment of the financial position giving rise to the difficulties in this particular school and will be in contact with the school directly.
73. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the Summer Programme 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22623/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI want to thank the Deputy for her question.
My Department announced the details of the 2023 Summer Programme on 9 February 2023. Funding was provided in Budget 2023 to run the programme. This matched the investment in 2021 and 2022 of €40m.
The terms for the 2023 programme are being implemented following a comprehensive review and engagement with education partners, parents, schools and other stakeholders since last summer, including the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Autism, with a view to encouraging more schools to participate this year.
Once again, all schools will have an opportunity to run a programme for those children who most need this support.
The central theme for this year’s programme is, ‘Building Confidence and Connections’. The primary aim of this theme is to help our children and young people to realise their potential, to be resilient in dealing with the normal stresses of their lives, to take care of their physical wellbeing and to have a sense of purpose, connection and belonging to their school community.
The main priority in 2023 is that those children with the most complex special educational needs, especially in special schools, should have access to a school-based summer programme.
Schools are given flexibility to engage staff that are not currently employed in their schools to support their summer programme. A portal is available for teachers and SNAs to register their interest in working on a school based programme in a special school. This portal is live on educationposts.ie and has been widely publicised. Student teachers and students in relevant disciplines such as therapy, social care, nursing and others, including early learning and care workers, will also be able to register their interest in working on this year’s programme.
This year my Department introduced a new Special School Programme as a pilot initiative to ensure there is a real focus on supporting special schools. This programme has been designed and developed to ensure supports, including training, and funding are targeted to enhance the availability of a school-based programme for pupils in special schools. The initiative includes the appointment of a National Coordinator to liaise with Special Schools.
Also this year, there is a Primary School Scheme for pupils in all primary mainstream schools. This provides a more cohesive scheme combining the Inclusion programme and special classes from last year. A Post Primary School Scheme is available for students with complex special educational needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage.
This year’s programme will build on the progress that has been made over the last number of years, which has seen participation of children grow from 13,000 in 2019 to over 42,000 in 2022. The measures introduced this year to encourage schools to sign up are proving successful and based on registration to date it is anticipated that there will be a 20% increase on the overall figures (for children attending or schools participating????) and a 50% increase on the number of special schools participating.
The closing date for the registration process for Primary, Post-Primary and Special Schools has been extended until today, 16th May.
The Home Based Programme is also available again for pupils with complex special education needs where a school-based programme is not being run or a place on a school-based programme is unavailable. Details of the Home-based programme are published on the Department’s website and all schools have been contacted directly with details and supporting documentation. The online sanctioning portal is open until the 9th June.
Full details of the Summer Programme is available on www.gov.ie/summerprogramme.
74. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Education for an update on a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 that the NCSE visited to report on suitability for special education provision. [22858/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and reassure you that enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this government.
For 2023, the spend by my Department on special education will be €2.6 billion, a 10% increase on last year.
This level of funding and support represents over 27% of the Department’s total allocation for 2023 and includes funding for new special classes, new special school places, additional special educational teachers and special needs assistants.
The 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 special class and special school places.
These initiatives are bearing fruit with over 600 new special classes sanctioned at primary level, almost 300 new special classes sanctioned at post-primary level and five new special schools established over the last three years.
My Department is engaging intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. 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 a result of this forward planning, on the 12th of April, Minister Foley and I announced the establishment of 2 new special schools for the 2023/2024 school year, with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools.
Along with the two new special schools, 305 new special classes – 197 at primary and 108 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening in the 2023/24 school year, with more to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Of these, 63 will be in Dublin, with 43 at primary and 20 at post-primary level. This will bring the total number of special classes in Dublin to 528.
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.
In October of last year, my Department wrote to all post-primary schools 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.
In relation to the schools referred to by the Deputy, the NCSE advise my Department that there are no plans to open additional special classes in these particular schools for the upcoming school year, as other schools in the local area still have availability for the 2023/24 school year.
My Department is aware of another post-primary school in the Dublin 12 area that requires reconfiguration to their existing building in order to accommodate a new special class. My Department is currently engaging with the school and progress is underway to ensure the school is prepared for the intake of new students.
The NCSE will continue to monitor this situation on an ongoing basis.
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.
75. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Education if she will meet with the National Parents Council Post Primary in view of the fact that the NPCPP is the body named in the Education Act 1998 to represent post primary parents; why funding and recognition for the NPCPP has been withdrawn; and why the Minister has not met with the NPCPP over the past three years despite requests. [22859/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe voice of parents and that of children and young people is of critical importance to me as Minister and to my Department in all of our work. Children and parents are engaged with regularly, in a variety of ways, in relation to all significant policy being developed by my Department. To assist with ensuring that they have a strong voice, my Department provides funding to ensure that parents and students are supported to have national representation.
My Department has an obligation under the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 13/2014 to ensure that all Exchequer funds are accounted for and properly managed and that there is transparency and accountability in the management of public money.
My Department, following engagement with the NPCPP, commissioned an independent company to conduct a governance and financial review of the Council. This was in keeping with practice across other Government departments. Following a publicly tendered procurement process, an external company with considerable experience of governance and related issues, was contracted to conduct a review of the governance and financial arrangements applying in the National Parents’ Council Post Primary (NPCPP) and to make observations and recommendations on foot of same.
Subsequently the NPCPP’s Board consistently and repeatedly declined to engage with this review process. The final report of the external governance expert, which was undertaken without the co-operation of the NPCPP, has now been published.
As a result of the serious governance issues which have arisen with the NPCPP, which have been set out comprehensively to the Board and are also detailed in the governance review report, the decisions by the Department to cease funding and withdraw the recognition of the NPCPP as a ‘national association of parents’ under the Education Act 1998, Section 2, are unchanged.
It is the view of the Department that to make any further grant payments would be a breach of its obligations to protect Exchequer funding. The Department did however, offer to pay for any outstanding appropriate costs.
In order to ensure continuity of support for parents and their continued input into policy making, my Department has formally requested the National Parents’ Council Primary to extend its remit and provide representation and support to post-primary parents with immediate effect.
Officials from my Department have been in continual contact with the NPCPP over the past three years.
Throughout the review process, including what was intended as a preparatory phase, senior officials from my Department sought to engage with the NPCPP, including offering meetings, but these offers were not availed of, including the most recent offer to meet from the Department by letter of 14th March 2023, and again by email of 20th April 2023. A reply to the email of the 20th April 2023 is awaited from the NPCPP. In matters of funding and governance, it is appropriate for an organisation to engage with Department officials in the first instance. This being said, I have indicated my willingness to meet with NPCPP.
The Department sincerely regrets the situation which has arisen directly as a result of the actions of the Board of the NPCPP. As I referenced before, bodies in receipt of Exchequer funding are obliged to meet governance standards and to be transparent and accountable with regard to how this funding is used. Having strong parental representation remains a top priority for me and I am grateful to the National Parents Council (Primary) for stepping in to assist and ensure continuity.
76. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she hopes to have sufficient school places available at primary and second level in Kildare North, and throughout the country at large, in time for the beginning of the new school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22873/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, for school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System (or GIS) 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 the Department’s projections of school place requirements.
Having considered the projected requirements in each school planning area, including North Kildare areas, my Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity and identifies any requirement for additional provision.
While my Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in North Kildare, 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 – where pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area
• School of choice – where pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town or area.
• Some towns or areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils
• External draw – that is, pupils coming from outside the local area
Through engagement with school authorities and patrons, having accounted for factors such as duplication of applications, my Department has established that there is a requirement for increased provision at schools in North Kildare.
My officials are leading ongoing discussions with the relevant school patrons and authorities to put the necessary solutions in place for the 2023/24 and future school years. This includes the use of existing spare capacity, sanctioning of works to existing accommodation, and the accelerated provision of modular accommodation.
The close working between my officials and schools and patrons in North Kildare has already resulted in a significant number of additional places being made available and further places will made available very shortly. It is expected that these will meet requirements, however my Department is continuing to monitor the situation.
Further to these immediate measures, as the Deputy may be aware, the Department is progressing a number of building projects in North Kildare under the National Development Plan. This includes projects at primary and post primary schools, and includes provision for mainstream accommodation as well as for children with special educational needs.
These projects include recently completed new school buildings in Maynooth and Naas. Additionally, a number of further new school buildings and extensions are at construction or planned, including in Prosperous, Kilcock, Maynooth, Celbridge, Leixlip, Naas and Clane.
As I said, in addition to all these developments, the requirement, for extra school places is kept under on-going review. Additionally, the Department will continue to liaise with the Local Authority in respect of its review of Development Plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements.
I can assure the Deputy that the Department will continue to work with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students in North Kildare and across the county for the 2023/24 school year and into the future. My Department has established that there is a requirement for additional provision in the area and will ensure that any required accommodation solution is put in place, as well as continuing to advance current ongoing projects.
77. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the degree to which she aspires to ensure the widest possible availability of school transport in Kildare North, and throughout the country, in time for the September school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22872/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf my Department. In the current school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 5,200 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
A review of the School Transport Scheme is underway. The review is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness and sustainability, and to ensure that it serves students and their families adequately.
Phase 1 of the review, which was completed in June 2021, examined the impact of eligibility criteria on mainstream pupils who were eligible for transport to their nearest school but attending their next nearest school.
Following consideration of this report, for the 2021/2022 school year, the provision of temporary alleviation measures was approved for transport for post-primary students who were otherwise eligible for school transport, but were attending their second nearest school and had applied and paid on time. These measures have been continued for the current school year, and will again continue in the 2023/2024 school year pending completion of the review.
It is planned the review will be completed shortly with recommendations on the future operation of the Department’s School Transport Scheme. Once approved by Government, it is planned that the review will be published.
For the 2023/2024 school year, it remains that 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 complete the application process on time are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who complete 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.
In relation to the topic raised by the Deputy, the Department has received correspondence in relation to school transport in the North Kildare area representing families who have not received tickets for the current school year (2022/2023) as they are not eligible for transport under the terms of the School Transport Scheme. Families have been made aware that if they have applied to attend their nearest school in regards to ethos and language and have been advised by the school authorities that it is full, my Department will consider if students can be deemed eligible for transport to the next nearest school. To establish that the nearest school is full, parents must provide certain information to School Transport Section of my Department. Full details are available on the School Transport section of my Department’s website. To date School Transport Section has not received required documentation from any families in the area.
With regard to planning services for the 2023/2024 school year, Bus Éireann will review applications and plan routes during the summer months. The closing date for new applications for the 2023/2024 school year was Friday 28th April. The closing date for payment/entering medical details for tickets for the 2023/2024 school year in Friday 9th June. It is only after this time that Bus Éireann will know how many applications have been received and paid for, and, at that point services will be planned for the upcoming school year. Pending completion of the School Transport review, there will be no removal or downsizing of buses/routes for the 2023/2024 school year.
78. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the roll-out of free solar panels to all schools; how the application process will be communicated to schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22663/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, Budget 2023 included the announcement for the provision of fully funded solar photovoltaic (PV) panels with an output of 6kW for all schools. This funding will be made available from the Climate Action Fund at the discretion of the Minister for the Environment.
This significant solar PV programme, will assist schools with their energy needs and costs along with supporting the decarbonisation of our school buildings. This programme is a joint venture between the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) and the Department of Education (DoE), and will form part of the Government response to meeting the 2030 and 2050 climate action targets for the school sector.
As part of the preparation for the roll out of the national programme, a key first step was to establish the level of existing PV installations across the overall school estate. I can advise, that the survey in respect of the number of solar PV panels that are installed in schools across the country is now complete. The survey indicates that approximately 10% of post-primary schools and 5% of primary schools already have solar PV panels installed.
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.
In addition to this, under the jointly funded pathfinder programme, established by the Department of Education and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, 48 school projects across Ireland have undergone significant decarbonisation upgrades to bring the Building Energy Rating (BER) of their schools up to a B rating, through deep retrofitting of the schools and installation of low carbon heating solutions. There are also a further 16 schools, currently at various stages of this retrofitting progress.
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 the end of this year.
In respect of the roll out of the solar PV programme, I can advise that my Department officials are working closely with colleagues in the Department of Environment, Climate and Communication in relation to the arrangements for this scheme. In parallel, the Department is developing the strategic management requirements for provision of a multi annual solar PV delivery programme for primary and post primary schools.
The solar panel programme for schools is detailed in the published Climate Action Plan 2023, to be developed with roll out of the multi-annual delivery programme commencing in late 2023.
I will also be announcing in due course, an enhanced climate action Summer Works Scheme programme, to enable the progression of climate action specific initiatives which will assist with the rollout of smaller scale energy retrofit works in schools.
The Summer Works Scheme programme has for many years featured categories of works that assist in improving energy reduction in schools such as heating system upgrades, roof insulation upgrades, high performance window upgrades and electrical upgrades.
79. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education if she can provide an update on new school builds for 2023 and new school builds in the Cork East constituency; if she can provide an update on a specific school build (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22891/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that the school referred to has been approved for a project under my Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme.
The project will provide the following accommodation at the school: 6 x General classrooms, 1 x Technical Graphics room, 1 x Woodwork room, 2 x Science room + shared Preparation area, 1 x Home Economics room, 2 x SEN Base, Ancillary Toilets, Lockers and Social area.
This project was approved to Planning Stage in 2022 by officials in my Department and has been devolved for delivery to the school authority.
In terms of new school buildings in the Cork East constituency, a number of major building projects are either currently at assessment stage or working their way through the stages of architectural planning. Across the country, my Department has a proven track record of delivery, with over 180 projects completed last year within a challenging construction sector environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues. This year alone, in excess of 300 school building projects are currently under construction, including 40 new school buildings and 260 projects at existing schools.
Under Project Ireland 2040, we are investing €4.4 billion over the period 2021 to 2025, to add capacity and develop and upgrade school facilities across the country for the almost one million students and over 100,000 staff that learn and work in our schools every day.
Key priorities for my Department are supporting the operation of the school system and adding necessary capacity to cater for special education needs provision, mainstream demographics and catering for students from Ukraine and other countries under the International Protection system.
As you are aware, an agreement was secured with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in recent weeks to guarantee and support the rollout and continuation of my Department’s ambitious school building programme. The agreement reached on 5th April is facilitating the continued rollout of urgently required school building projects in both mainstream and special education settings, including the projects that were temporarily paused due to capital funding pressures.
Officials from my Department have updated each of these schools in relation to the formal arrangements and next steps in respect of the delivery of their individual projects. The current status of all projects is listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie and is updated on a regular basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
80. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education if she is aware that, due to the lack of an ASD room at a school (details supplied), children are having to be separated from siblings in the school system; if there are plans to provide the school with the much-needed ASD room; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22552/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
My Department is committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential. My Department strives to ensure that every child has access to an educational experience that is appropriate to their needs and supports both their academic and personal development. The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
As part of Budget 2023, my Department’s budget for special education was substantially increased, by over 10%, meaning that for 2023 the Department will spend over €2.6 billion on special education. This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the Department’s total allocation for 2023. This includes additional teaching and care supports.
We have made a lot of progress over the last three years in terms of providing special classes and special school places 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 a total of 2,537 special classes opened nationwide. Of the 2,537 special classes, there are 1,798 at primary level and 739 at post primary level. We want to continue this level of progress to ensure that there are sufficient places in special classes and special schools for children who need them.
Just recently on 12th April, Minister Foley and I announced the establishment of two new special schools as part of a comprehensive update on enhanced education provision for students with special educational needs. This will bring to 7 the number of new special schools established in the last 3 years. Capacity is also being expanded in 11 other special schools.
Along with the two new special schools, 305 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE for the 2023/24 school year, with more to be confirmed in the coming weeks – 197 at primary and 108 at post-primary level.
Of these new classes, 12 are in Co. Donegal, with 7 at primary level and 5 at post-primary level. These new classes will bring the total number of special classes in Co. Donegal to 109, 64 at primary and 45 at post-primary.
In relation to the school referred to by the Deputy, the NCSE has advised my Department that this school expressed an interest in opening a special class in March this year.
The NCSE actively encourages expressions of interest from schools to open special classes, and I appreciate the effort taken by the Board of Management in expressing their interest.
Upon assessing the needs in the local area, the NCSE identified that there were schools in the neighbouring vicinity with available special class vacancies and, as such, an additional special class is not required in this school at this time.
It is important that where available places in local special classes exist, that these places are filled in the first instance before any decision is made to open additional special classes.
The NCSE acknowledge that circumstances may change, and they are committed to ensuring that both the parents and the school receive the necessary advice and support.
My Department and the NCSE is committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for the coming school years.
The local SENOs remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs.
I want to reassure you also that my Department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an appropriate education.
81. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a progress report on a special education site (details supplied) in Glanmire, County Cork and a special education site in Carrrigtwohill, County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22490/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government.
For 2023, the spend by my Department on special education will be substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my Department will spend over €2.6 billion 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 special education needs in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers and special needs assistants.
Over the last two years, the Department and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) have worked closely on a more streamlined and joined up planning process which has ensured a targeted approach to meet demand for special education placements ahead of each new school year.
In addition, and as part of future proofing of provision, the acquisition of a site at Brooklodge, Glanmire is progressing. Approval has been granted by the Elected Members of Cork City Council to dispose of this site and the conveyancing process and transfer of this land to the Minister is ongoing.
I also recently announced the establishment of a new special school in Carrigtwohill, East Cork for the school year 2023/2024, which will further enhance special education needs capacity in the area. It is intended that places in the new special school will be prioritised for children who have no offer of a special school place for the 2023/24 school year.
The NCSE will work closely with the families of the children and young people concerned to assist them in accessing the new places which will become available during the 2023/24 school year.
Planning for the establishment and opening of the new special school will begin immediately and my Department is currently liaising with Cork ETB, who will serve as patron body for the new school in this regard.
This will include a determination of the size of the school required so that the necessary staff recruitment, school policy development and related arrangements can be put in train. This will also include ongoing communication with the families concerned.
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.
82. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education if she will review the design guidelines for school halls. [22912/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, investment and expenditure on General Purpose (or GP) rooms is an element of the overall expenditure and investment in the School Building Programme. The provision of General Purpose (GP) rooms at primary, as well as outdoor hard play areas, form part of the accommodation brief for all new school buildings or where a major building or refurbishment project is being delivered for an existing school.
The GP room is a teaching area that caters primarily for the teaching and learning of physical education. It may also be used for the teaching of other subjects across the curriculum, and may additionally be used for general school assembly or for other functions requiring a large assembly area. My Department provides different size GP rooms depending on the size of the school. A 195m2 GP room is provided as standard as part of new 8 to 16 classroom school buildings, with larger primary schools, with 24 or more mainstream classes, being provided with twice this size. My Department’s Primary School Design Guidelines, which are available at www.gov.ie/en/collection/ddc58-school-building-and-design/ set out the specific design requirements applicable to the design of primary schools, including GP rooms.
The current primary PE curriculum was introduced as part of the Primary School Curriculum (1999). In primary schools, PE is allocated one hour each week within curriculum time and this time will be increased to include Wellbeing as outlined in the Primary Curriculum Framework, launched in March 2023. The PE curriculum (1999) contributes to children’s overall development by helping them lead full, active and healthy lives. It provides a balanced range of activities for children through six strands: Athletics, Dance, Gymnastics, Games, Outdoor and adventure activities, and Aquatics.
No provision is made for primary schools to alter the curriculum taught in the school or to choose not to teach particular areas of the curriculum. Teachers are expected to adapt the curriculum to match the facilities available to them in the school and local area. The provision for PE focuses on the delivery of a broad and balanced PE curriculum, taking into consideration the context of the school and the facilities available to them.
The accommodation and facilities provided as part of new school building projects have been designed to meet the curricular and operational needs of schools, including the delivery of the Physical Education curriculum, taking account of the number of pupils enrolled in the school.
The GP rooms form part of a suite of ancillary facilities provided as part of new school buildings. At primary level, new school buildings additionally include a Library, Multi-purpose room, Special Education Tuition rooms, and offices. The accommodation provided for new primary schools to support children with special educational needs also includes a Central Activities Space, Multi-Activity Room, Daily Living Skills facility and Quiet Spaces.
In addition, my Department’s Design Guidelines for all new schools provides for outdoor multi use games areas (or hard play areas) and the level of play space provided varies with the size of school. For example, a new 24 classroom primary school with Special Education Needs classes is provided with 3 ball courts, 2 junior play areas, as well as a Secure hard and soft play area and a Sensory Garden.
The main focus of resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics particularly at post-primary level and for special education needs provision. The Deputy will appreciate that the immediate priority of my Department is continued 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.
83. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the progress of a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22900/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan.
The brief for this project is to provide accommodation for a long term projected enrolment of 1000 students, including 4 classrooms for students with Special Educational Needs and all ancillary accommodation.
Stage 1 & Stage 2a of Architectural Planning have been completed and the project has now progressed to Stage 2b – Detailed Design, which includes the application for all statutory consents, including Planning Permission, Disability Access Certification and Fire Safety Certification and also the preparation of tender documentation.
The Design Team submitted the Planning Permission application to the Local Authority in October 2022.
The Local Authority requested Further Information in relation to the application, and the Design Team has recently submitted their responses to the Local Authority.
The Fire Safety Certificate application was lodged with the Fire Officer in October 2022, and following an extension of time request from the Local Authority, a decision is pending.
The Disability Access Certification was granted on 14/12/2022.
Once all statutory approvals have been secured, and upon receipt, review and approval of the Stage 2(b) submission, my Department will be in contact with the School Authorities, the Design Team and the Project Manager regarding the progression of the project.
84. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education the funding that has been allocated per programme to the Summer Programme 2023; and the number of DEIS schools that have indicated they will run the programme. [22913/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department announced the details of the 2023 Summer Programme on the 9th February 2023. This followed an announcement on the 17th October 2022 that additional funding had been secured in Budget 2023 to run the 2023 Summer Programme to match the investment in 2021 and 2022. This brings the total funding available to €40m. All schools will have an opportunity to run a programme for those children that need it the most.
Once again, all schools have an opportunity to run a programme for those children that need it the most.
The central theme for this year’s programme is, ‘Building Confidence and Connections’. The primary aim of this theme is to help our children and young people to realise their potential, to be resilient in dealing with the normal stresses of their lives, to take care of their physical wellbeing and to have a sense of purpose, connection and belonging to their school community.
The main priority in 2023 is that those children with the most complex special educational needs, especially in special schools, should have access to a school-based summer programme.
The terms and conditions for the 2023 Summer Programme are being implemented following a comprehensive review and engagement with education partners and stakeholders since last summer, including the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Autism. The Department has engaged with management bodies, schools and parents and listened to their views and designed this year's programme to encouraging more schools and staff to participate in the 2023 programme.
This year introduces a new Special School Programme as a pilot initiative to ensure that there is a real focus on supporting special schools. This programme has been designed and developed to ensure supports, including training, and funding are targeted to enhance the availability of a school-based programme for pupils in special schools. The initiative includes the appointment of a National Coordinator to liaise with Special Schools.
Also this year, the Primary School Scheme combines the Inclusion Programme and Special Class elements from last year into one cohesive scheme for mainstream primary school bring a more targeted approach for children with special educational needs.
There are two school schemes at mainstream primary level and one at post primary:-
• The Primary School Scheme for pupils in all primary mainstream schools.
• The DEIS expanded literacy and numeracy summer camp/campaí samhraidh for pupils in DEIS primary schools (includes schools who received their DEIS status in September 2022).
• The Post-Primary Scheme for students with complex special educational needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage.
A Home-based programme is once again available for pupils with complex special education needs where their school is not running a Summer Programme or a place on a school-based programme is unavailable. Details of Home-based programme are now published on www.gov.ie/summerprogramme and all school have been contacted directly with details and supporting documentation. The online sanctioning portal is open until the 9th June 2023.
In relation to the 2023 Summer Programme, the closing date for the registration process for Primary, Post-Primary and Special Schools has been extended until the 16th May 2023. Measures to encourage schools to sign up this year are proving successful and, based on registration, it is anticipated that there will be a 20% increase of overall figures of schools participating in the Primary Schools Scheme (including DEIS schools) and a 50% increase of the overall figures of schools participating in the Special Schools Scheme.
Based on the reconfiguration of the schemes for this year’s programme, exact figures will not be known until all payment claims are fully processed. However, based on ratios from last year’s programme, it is anticipated that the €40m allocated will be divided up between the schemes as follows:
|
2023 Summer Programme Scheme |
Ratio |
|
Primary School Scheme |
29% |
|
Special School Scheme |
6.5% |
|
Post-Primary School Scheme |
6.5% |
|
Home-based Scheme |
31% |
|
DEIS Literacy & Numeracy Scheme |
27% |
Full details of the Summer Programme is available on www.gov.ie/summerprogramme.
85. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 119 of 23 March 2023, her plans to publish her Department’s review of the summer programme; the reason it has not been published to-date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22852/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe comprehensive review of the 2022 Summer Programme was part of the development of this year’s Summer Programme and its terms and conditions. The outcomes and improvements identified in the review are addressed specifically in the overview documentation for this year's programme, rather than in a separate review document, and are based on the culmination of engagements and feedback from this process referred to in my previous Parliamentary Question response. This overview documentation is published on the Department's website at www.gov.ie/summerprogramme
In addition to the above, the Inspectorate of the Department have conducted their own review on the 2022 Summer Programme. The contents of this review will be published shortly.
