Written Answers Nos. 491-510
491. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education if her Department's offer of a two-storey modular unit for a school (details supplied) will impact the school's application to build on adjacent land recently purchased for her Department by Waterford City and County Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47858/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application from the school in question under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme.
Following an assessment of their ASA application, an offer for modular accommodation was made to the school in question. The Deputy will be aware that my Department has broadened its delivery streams and is utilising Modern Methods of Construction, including Modular Accommodation, as well as traditional construction delivery methods. Modular accommodation has particular advantages in terms of overall timelines and also climate impact in that they generally use decarbonised heating sources.
In overall terms, it is important to have a range of delivery mechanisms for delivering school accommodation to support the current very strong and ambitious roll out of school building projects. This is particular relevant given the overall challenging construction sector market. A number of factors are considered by my Department in determining the most appropriate construction method to meet a school’s accommodation requirements, including the timing and duration of that accommodation need, and other school-specific factors.
The modular accommodation proposed to the school is intended to meet the school's overall additional accommodation needs. It is not feasible to deliver the accommodation a second time using a different construction method. Officials in my Department are liaising with the school regarding the delivery mechanism for the additional accommodation for the school.
Furthermore, my Department continues to work in conjunction with Waterford City and County Council to facilitate the acquisition of the site adjacent to the school.
492. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of pilot schemes currently underway in education; the nature of these schemes; and the locations where they are underway. [47893/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently 18 active pilot schemes currently underway and the information requested by the Deputy is provided below in tabular form:
|
Pilot Scheme |
Nature of scheme |
Location |
|
Active School Flag Post Primary Pilot Scheme |
Active School Flag (ASF) is an initiative of the Department of Education, supported by Healthy Ireland and administered through Mayo Education Centre. The aim of the programme is to get more schools, more active, more often. ASF is awarded to schools that strive to achieve a physically educated and physically active school community.Currently, 46 post primary schools are working nationwide with the ASF team and University of Limerick to co-design a new ASF Post Primary (ASFPP) process. |
Schools involved in pilot are located around Ireland. |
|
Partnership Schools Ireland (PSI) |
A joint initiative involving the Irish Primary Principals Network and the National Parents Council The work of a “Partnership School” is driven by an Action Team for Partnerships (ATP). Each school forms an ATP of approx. 8-16 people. The ATP consists of the Principal, other school staff, students, parents, and members of the wider community, and should be representative of the school community. |
Primary and established in 2016. |
|
Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) |
Method of teaching a subject through a second language – Irish and Foreign Language strands. Year 3 – 2023/24. CLIL Irish CLIL Foreign Languages Irish – ELC, Primary and Post Primary levels. Foreign Languages – CPD for teachers model, followed by roll-out of Transition Year module by those teachers. 23/24 CPD scheme to be advertised in December 2023. |
Countrywide.Irish: 29 ELC Settings; 65 Primary Schools;12 Post Primary Schools Countrywide.MFL: 20 Post Primary teachers in 2022/23. |
|
Supporting Traveller and Roma (STAR) in education |
Pilot project aimed at improving attendance, participation and retention among Traveller and Roma young people in education |
Galway, Cork, Dublin, Wexford |
|
City Connects |
Provides a systemic approach to building a network of supports for children at risk of educational disadvantage. |
Dublin- 10 North East Inner City primary schools |
|
P-TECH |
Educational initiative which combines post-primary school with elements of third-level education and workplace experience |
Dublin- 5 North East Inner City post-primary schools |
|
Teacher Sharing Scheme Pilot |
Introduction of a teacher sharing scheme pilot, supporting schools to collaborate to provide high priority subjects, and to enhance the teaching hours available for those teachers employed on less than full hours. |
Open to all post-primary schools, across the State. |
|
Implementation Review Phase of Qualifications Advisory Board |
Pilot of Review of Higher Education Qualifications for the Early Learning and Care Sector, to verify their continued adherence to the Professional Awards Criteria and Guidelines for the sector |
A selection of Higher Education Institutions |
|
Counselling in Primary Schools Pilot (CPS-P) |
The Counselling in Primary Schools Pilot will see the establishment of a programme of counselling and wellbeing/ mental health supports in a number of primary schools in the 2023/2024 school year. The Department of Education secured additional funding in Budget 2024 to continue the pilot for an additional year, until June 2025. Strand 1 provides one-to-one counselling support to a small number of children in primary schools in counties Cavan, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, Monaghan and Tipperary. Strand 2 will see the establishment of Education Wellbeing and Mental Health Teams to support schools under the direction and supervision of NEPS. The focus of the support under Strand 2 is on strengthening whole-school preventative approaches. The Department of Education has partnered with Cork Education and Training as a strategic partner in this pilot. |
Strand 1 is being piloted in Cavan, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, Monaghan and Tipperary. Strand 2 is being piloted in cluster areas in Cork, Carlow, Dublin 7 and Dublin 16. |
|
Towards Inclusion Pilot Programme |
The overarching purpose of the programme is to provide for collaboration between mainstream and special schools in teaching, learning and assessment practices. |
Across 12 locations nationally |
|
Comprehensive Employment Strategy Pilot Programme |
The aim of the Pilot is to support the young people in the participating schools to have available post-school avenues toward reaching their full potential. |
Dublin and Galway |
|
WALK Pilot Programme |
The aim of the Pilot is to support school leavers with special educational needs to transition to mainstream further education, training, and employment. |
Dublin, Dundalk, Drogheda, Cork, Mullingar and Cavan |
|
National Nursing Programme Pilot for Children with Complex Healthcare Needs |
The pilot nursing scheme will, for eligible students, extend the Paediatric Home Care Package (PHCP) from their home into the school setting. This will allow an agency nurse attend school with the student for an agreed number of hours per week, and travel to and from school with them, if necessary. |
Nationwide |
|
The School Inclusion Model (SIM) provides a systematic approach to building the capacity of school communities to meet the needs of students. The SIM model comprises two main sources of additional support for schools: a team of in-school therapists and enhanced support from NEPS. |
SIM In-School Therapists work in partnership with teachers and schools with a view to creating inclusive school environments, designed to improve educational outcomes for all students.In addition to the work of the In-School Therapists, SIM has allowed for the provision of an enhanced service from the National Educational Psychological service (NEPS) to the SIM pilot schools. |
HSE CHO Area 7: Kildare/West Wicklow, Dublin West, Dublin South City, Dublin South West |
|
Small Schools Action Research Project |
The project is aimed at supporting small rural schools by encouraging a number of small schools to cluster together in local groups, enabling them to collaborate and identify common challenges and trial innovative solutions. |
The project consists of six clusters of small schools (East and West Galway, Donegal, Waterford, Wicklow and Kerry), consisting of 3/4/5 schools per cluster. |
|
Voluntary Redeployment |
The key purpose of the pilot voluntary redeployment scheme is to assist the Department to achieve its objective of redeploying all surplus permanent teachers. Permanent teachers employed in specified regions each year are given an opportunity to volunteer for a transfer to other areas of the country only if such a transfer would free up a vacancy that would facilitate the redeployment of a surplus permanent teacher in the region. |
Nationwide |
|
Reconfiguration structured engagement process |
The Schools Reconfiguration for Diversity process, supporting transfers of schools to multi-denominational patrons in response to the wishes of local communities, has been developed in order to accelerate the delivery of multi-denominational schools. in March 2022, the Minister for Education announced that arrangements were being put in place in a number of towns and areas of cities that had no multi-denominational primary schools to identify potential schools and to engage with the school authorities, staff and the school community with a view to identifying demand for a transfer of patronage. The engagement at local level across the pilot areas was largely concluded at the end of Q1 2023. Two schools, Cornamaddy National School in Athlone and St. Enda’s Primary School in Whitefriar Street, Dublin 8, have transferred from Catholic patronage to the local Education and Training Board, becoming multi-denominational community national schools. The Department is hopeful that there will be a number of other transfers of patronage and change of ethos to multi-denominational in the short term. The review, by the Department, of the engagement process with the school communities in these pilot areas is underway to consider the learnings going forward. It is intended that the review will be finalised and published in Q4 2023. It is envisaged that it will include a framework for delivering on the Government commitment for increasing multi-denominational provision. |
Parts of the cities of Cork, Dublin, Galway and Limerick, and also the Arklow, Athlone, Dundalk and Youghal areas. |
|
Special School Pilot Programme |
This programme developed for special schools has been designed to ensure supports are targeted to enhance the availability of a school-based Summer programme for pupils in special schools. These targeted measures include a higher level of capitation, additional grant funding, faster pay times for staff working on the programme and systems to reduce the administrative burden associated with leading and managing a school-based programme. |
Available to all special schools recognised under Section 10(3) of the Education Act 1998. |
493. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the review into the schoolbook grant scheme for primary schools. [47897/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraEarlier this year, I announced a landmark new scheme which saw the government investing over €50 million to provide free schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks for pupils.
The investment in this scheme significantly increases the funding for schoolbooks provided to date to all recognised primary schools in the country.
More than 560,000 pupils enrolled in approximately 3,230 primary schools, including over 130 special schools, have benefitted from the new scheme from September this year.
Detailed guidance for primary schools on the scheme was published earlier this year and issued to all recognised primary schools and special schools.
The primary school book grant funding for the 2023/24 school year was paid directly to all recognised primary and special schools in April, to allow schools implement the scheme in time for the start of the school year.
The funding is provided directly to schools on the basis that, at a minimum, it eliminates the costs of schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks for parents. Schools therefore, continue to have the autonomy to choose books and related classroom resources to meet their needs.
My Department outlined in the scheme guidelines that an evaluation of the first year of implementation of the scheme will be carried out which would look at matters including the effectiveness of the operation of the scheme, possible improvements to the scheme for future years and expenditure under the scheme.
My Department has commenced the evaluation. 230 schools are selected to participate in the evaluation, and these schools are requested to provide a detailed return to my Department that includes information across a number of areas of the scheme such as financial details in relation to the cost of books and resources, details on the implementation of the scheme within the school, procurement, administration support and general feedback on the scheme.
I appreciate that schools will require a number of weeks to complete this information and it is a hugely important part of the process in order to assess the scheme's future requirements. I am very grateful for the assistance that these schools are providing by engaging fully in this evaluation process.
It is planned that officials from my Department will also meet with a small number of schools following completion of the evaluation returns in order to hear first hand of their experiences of year one of the scheme.
My Department will also engage with other stakeholders over the coming period to establish their views on the new scheme.
494. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if her Department is considering extending the benefits achieved under the North-East Inner City Programme to other areas facing similar challenges. [47898/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn July 2016, the Government launched a major initiative for Dublin’s North East Inner City (NEIC) to oversee the long term, social and economic regeneration of the area. The Mulvey Report entitled “Dublin’s North East Inner City – Creating a Brighter Future” was published in February 2017 and made a number of recommendations. As part of this response, in November 2018, City Connects pilot programme, the NEIC Multi-Disciplinary Team, and the P-TECH pilot programme were launched within schools in the NEIC.
The NEIC City Connects Pilot Project commenced in 10 NEIC primary schools in October 2020. The pilot is led by my Department and Tusla Education Support Service, in conjunction with Mary Immaculate College and Boston College. City Connects is a system originally developed by Boston College that organises student support and leverages existing school and community-based resources in order to improve students’ academic and social-emotional outcomes.
The North East Inner City Multi-Disciplinary Team (NEIC MDT) comprises of Educational Psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) of my Department, Health Service Executive (HSE) Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and a Psychologist. This project is an interagency collaboration between the HSE and my Department which provides a multidisciplinary team to ten NEIC primary schools. The NEIC MDT provide school staff, children and families access to on-site Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Psychology; it also offers psychology support to families through the HSE Psychologist on the team. The MDT provide a wraparound service including preventative work, early intervention, assessment and therapeutic intervention, to support all children, school staff and families. The MDT teams provide a needs-based school service that responds to the presenting issues for each child, their family and school.
P-TECH is now in operation across five NEIC post-primary schools, with multiple partners supporting the programme. It is an education initiative that combines post primary school with elements of further education and workplace experience. It requires a three-way partnership between school, higher/further education institution(s) and industry partners. It includes a structured workplace learning strand with mentoring, worksite visits, speakers, and project days. Whilst the acquisition of relevant IT skills in key areas are included in the course work, the model also seeks to encourage and develop students’ problem solving and creativity and places emphasis on teamwork, collaboration and communication skills. Students involved in the programme work towards the achievement of a “Special Purpose Award”, equivalent to 10 credits at QQI Level 6.
My Department is committed to supporting a quality and inclusive school system that provides an equal opportunity at success for all children, including those at risk of educational disadvantage. In line with the Programme for Government, the Government is continuing to examine how the model of intervention in the north-east inner city (NEIC) could be extended to other comparative areas experiencing disadvantage.
495. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the additional accommodation project application lodged by a school (details supplied); the reason for the delay in assessment of the amended Stage 1 Report, which was submitted to her Department as requested in April 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47928/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe project to which the Deputy refers was approved funding under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme for the provision of 4 mainstream classrooms and a 2 classroom SEN base.
I am pleased to advise that the review by officials at my Department has been completed, and the project was approved to Stage 2B in October 2023. It is now the responsibility of the design team on behalf of the school authority, to progress the project to the next stage.
My Department will continue to liaise with the school authority as this project progresses through all the required stages.
496. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education when the School Transport Appeals Board will issue a decision on a school transport appeal submitted by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47934/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Already over 134,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the start of the 2022/2023 school year The number of tickets issued has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
Decisions made by, or on behalf of, the Department of Education regarding the provision of school transport services and/or grant-aid under the terms of the School Transport Schemes may be appealed to the School Transport Appeals Board. The School Transport Appeals Board are independent of my Department and the Board liaise directly with Appellants.
The School Transport Appeals Board have confirmed that an Appeal was lodged with the School Transport Appeals Board and the Board wrote to the Appellant referred by the Deputy on 5th October 2023 with their deliberations.
497. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update in relation to the intended works for the previously approved additional school accommodation application of a school (details supplied); if her Department will update the school as to the timeline for these works in the context of the addition of an ASD unit to the project, given that she advised in June that the additional request for accommodation for special educational needs be added to the previously approved brief was already under consideration by her officials; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47947/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers was granted funding under the Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) for the provision of 4 mainstream classrooms and 2 SET rooms.
During the initial design stage, the school requested my Department consider a 2 storey design solution with additional SEN and a lift which was not approved and the project progressed as a single storey extension as per the approved brief. This scope of works has also been approved planning.
In Q3 2023, my Department’s School Capital Appraisal Section have assessed the requested additional scope however this was not approved to progress and my Department has communicated with the school authorities in regards to same.
It is now a matter for the school to advance this project to the next stage. My Department will continue to liaise with the school in order to see the successful completion of this project.
498. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if a response will issue to a school transport case (details supplied), despite the case being submitted on four separate occasions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47978/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
There was an increase of 21% in tickets issued to eligible students and an increase of 38% in tickets issued on a concessionary basis in the 2022/23 school year compared to the 2021/22 school year.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Already over 132,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
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.
The closing date for new applications for the 2023/2024 school year was Friday 28th April 2023. The closing date for payment/entering medical details for tickets for the 2023/2024 school year was Friday 9th June 2023.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Temporary Alleviation Measures are in place for the 2023/2024 school year, these measures mean that transport will be provided for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and, who applied for school transport by the 28th April 2023 and pay for a ticket/enter medical card details by the 9th June 2023.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application 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 Eireann has advised that the school transport applications for the children referred by the Deputy was submitted on the 29/08/2023 which is considered a late application and at this stage the service was full to capacity and the pupils referred were not successful in obtaining seats for the current school year on a main stream service.
The National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) acts in an advisory role to my Department on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. A pupil with special educational needs is eligible for school transport if s/he is attending the nearest recognised: mainstream school, special class / special school or a unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet the child's special educational needs under Department of Education criteria.Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).
Parents should contact their school principal who will assist in making an application for school transport to the SENO that is affiliated with the school the child is attending.
499. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education what plans are in place to introduce educational programmes on the dangers of vaping for students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47981/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra554. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education if her Department has a policy framework in place to address the alarming rise of vaping among primary and secondary school students; if so, if she will provide details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48674/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 499 and 554 together.
My Department works together with the Department of Health and other agencies to support students in the area of health. The aim is to equip students with the skills and knowledge to enable them to make the right choices for healthy lifestyles throughout their lives. Schools have a role to play in supporting their students to develop the key skills and knowledge to enable them to make informed choices when faced with a range of difficult issues. This is mainly done through the Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) programme.
The importance of making healthy choices is one that is reflected in curricular developments, in particular the new Junior Cycle SPHE specification. That was published on 16 May, and has been introduced for first years in all schools from September this year.
The Learning Outcomes include that students should be able to investigate how unhealthy products including vapes are marketed and advertised, the consequences of using addictive substances whether now or in the long-term, and indeed skills and strategies to help them make informed choices to support their health and wellbeing.
In the consultation undertaken by the NCCA, both teachers and students identified that vaping is a growing and serious problem among teenagers and including this topic was seen as very important.
It can be noted that work is ongoing to update the SPHE specification for Senior Cycle and a draft specification was published for consultation in July this year, with the consultation running until 3rd November last.
Advice from the HSE in relation to vaping in schools was published and issued by this Department to all school principals at the end of May.
500. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education the status of an appeal for the allocation of teachers in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47994/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.
The staffing process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria, including one specifically aimed at small schools.
The school referred to by the Deputy had its staffing appeal provisionally upheld in March as it was projecting sufficient enrolment to retain its third teaching post. However, the required enrolment was not achieved in September. The school appealed again to the October meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board but the appeal was deemed ineligible as it did not meet the published criteria. The post was withdrawn from the school at the end of October. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
501. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if her Department engages a company (details supplied); if so, the duration and nature of the work; the cost of same to the Exchequer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48008/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department does not have any current contract with the company specified in her question.
502. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update in respect of new school buildings for a school (details supplied); the stage that the project is at; and the expected delivery date. [48045/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to advise the Deputy that the building project referred to has been devolved for delivery to Kildare & Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB).The execution of a Service Level Agreement (SLA) between the Department and KWETB, is currently being arranged.Once the SLA is in place, the ETB will procure a design team for the project to design the buildings, obtain the necessary statutory planning permissions, and move the project onward to tender and construction in due course. As the project is at an early stage in the delivery process, it is not possible at this time to give a date for completion. The ETB will be engaging directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.
503. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education when two Leaving Certificate English teacher positions will be filled in a secondary school in County Donegal (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48049/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTeacher allocations to all second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to school managements annually and are available on the Department website. In accordance with these rules, each school management authority is required to organise its subject options within the limit of its approved teacher allocation.
The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24(3) of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012). The deployment of teaching staff in the school, the range of subjects offered are in the first instance, a matter for the school management authorities.
504. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education to review a case and provide an update on a family’s application (details supplied); if Bus Éireann can outline whether places are available on the two buses which go past the family home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48054/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. There was an increase of 21% in tickets issued to eligible students and an increase of 38% in tickets issued on a concessionary basis in the 2022/23 school year compared to the 2021/22 school year.In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine. The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m. Already over 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
The purpose of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote i.e. 4.8 kilometres (kms) or more from their nearest education centre, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, under the terms of the scheme, may apply to Bus Éireann for transport on a concessionary basis. The availability of concessionary transport may vary from year to year, is not available on public scheduled services and cannot be guaranteed for the duration of a child’s post primary school education cycle. Where the number of applications for transport on a concessionary basis exceeds the number of seats available, Bus Éireann will determine the allocation of the tickets.
A seat on a service will not be guaranteed in the event that parents/guardians of children submit late applications or make late payments after the deadline date.
Bus Éireann has advised that seats have become available on the service referred to by the Deputy, however, Bus Éireann also advise that they have not yet received payment/medical card details for the children referred. The family should liaise with Bus Éireann with regard to making payment/input of medical card details on their on-line account.
505. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education when her Department's professional and technical team will complete the review of a report (details supplied); when a decision is likely to be communicated to the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48056/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers, was approved a project under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme for a 2 classroom SEN base.
The project is devolved for delivery to the school authority.
The review of the stage report by my Department’s Professional and Technical team is nearing completion and the recommendations will be shared with the school authority in due course.
506. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 85 of 25 October 2023, the funding provided by her Department for the annual Stand Up Awareness Campaign for each year since 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48058/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has provided funding towards the annual BeLonG To Stand Up Awareness Campaign since 2013. The objective is to prevent and tackle homophobic and transphobic bullying in schools, increase respect for diversity and LGBT identities and thereby reduce the potential for mental health difficulties among LGBT students.
I can confirm for the Deputy that my Department provided the following funding to BeLonG To during the years specified:
|
Year |
Funding Amount |
|
2013 |
€108,385 |
|
2014 |
€53,000 |
|
2015 |
€53,000 |
|
2016 |
€70,000 |
|
2017 |
€58,000 |
|
2018 |
€58,000 |
|
2019 |
€58,000 |
|
2020 |
€58,000 |
|
2021 |
€58,000 |
|
2022 |
€58,000 |
This was in fulfilment of the commitment made in the 2013 Action Plan on Bullying to support Stand Up Awareness Week.
507. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the review of school secretary contracts; if the allocation model regarding school secretary hours has been progressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48060/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of a payroll service for school secretaries by my Department is part of a package agreed with Fórsa, the trade union representing school secretaries, following a series of engagements at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and which also includes revised terms and conditions for secretaries. Traditionally, school secretaries were paid directly by the schools and my Department provided grant aid towards the provision of secretarial/administrative services in the schools.
Those secretaries who opted into the new arrangements received their first salary payment through my Department’s Non-Teaching Staff (NTS) Payroll on 14th September 2023. There are currently 2,659 individual secretaries being paid through the NTS Payroll with newly appointed secretaries joining as vacancies arise in schools. In line with the provisions contained in Circular 0036/2022, which was issued by my Department in June 2022, new secretary appointments after 1st September 2023 will automatically be subject to the new arrangements and will be paid through my Department’s payroll.
Work is currently ongoing in relation to the development of a formal model for the allocation of secretary posts other than Department-sanctioned secretaries in Community and Comprehensive schools and those employed under the 1978/1979 scheme. However, there are currently requests for additional/new secretarial resources from a number of schools and these are being dealt with on a case-by-case basis. My Department will be in direct contact with these schools over the coming days.
508. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of a school (details supplied) in which pupils in one class were told not to attend on a Monday after significant ceiling damage occurred and mould was discovered; and what plan for remedial works will be put in place to resolve the matter and prevent any further water damage to the building. [48064/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is aware of the situation in the school in question and has been engaged in intensive communication with the school over the last two weeks. My Department's Emergency Works Section (EWS) has provided both administrative and technical assistance, including a site visit, and work is ongoing on a comprehensive scope of works to address the situation in a timely manner. Officials from the EWS will continue to liaise closely with the school in respect of this issue over the coming days. I should explain that all works will be conducted in a manner that facilitates both the continuance of education for these children for the duration of the works and the ongoing welfare of the school population.
509. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48093/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to advise the Deputy in relation to the school referred to, that my Department has received a Stage 1 report from the school.
This report has been reviewed by officials in my Department and approval to progress the project to Stage 2A was conveyed to the school authority in October 2023.
This project is devolved to the school authority for delivery. My Department will assist the school authority in progressing this project to completion.
510. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education the reason a concessionary school bus ticket been refused due to capacity to a student (details supplied) in view of the fact that four or five seats remain empty on the bus each day; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48102/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Over 134,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the start of the 2022/2023 school year. The number of tickets issued so far has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year. There has been an overall increase in both applications and tickets issued for the 2023/2024 school year in comparison to the 2022/2023 school year.
Under the current terms of the scheme, pupils at primary level are eligible where they live no less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest primary school. At post primary level, students who live no less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre are deemed eligible. Any pupils/students who do not meet these criteria are deemed not eligible, or otherwise known as concessionary applicants, and are allocated a ticket based on the availability of a seat when all eligible children have been catered for.
Bus Éireann has advised that the child referred to by the Deputy is not attending their nearest primary school and are therefore are not eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme.
Bus Éireann also advise that the existing school transport service is currently operating to capacity and there are no seats available and that the child referred was unsuccessful in obtaining concessionary seats for the 2023/24 school year.
It is recognised that all pupils issued with tickets will not travel every morning and every evening. In addition, certain after school activities may also result in pupils not travelling on certain days.
Bus Éireann organises for vehicles to be full to capacity with tickets based on applications received and based on the seating capacity of the vehicle. For safety reasons, it is not possible to issue additional tickets over and above the seating capacity of the vehicle which could result in a potential overload situation arising and all pupils not being carried on the service.
