Niamh Smyth
Ceist:511. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education for clarity on an aspect of a response to a previous parliamentary question (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48105/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Accommodation
Ceisteanna (511)
Freagraí scríofa
The school to which the deputy refers has been granted capital funding under the Department’s SEN Reconfiguration & Modular Accommodation Programme for the provision of 2 x Special Educational Needs classrooms with 100m2 soft-play area and 2 x Special Education tuition rooms.
This programme involves the use of Project Management supports which is designed to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and help ease the administrative workload for school authorities in relation to the management and delivery of projects.
Rogerson Reddan & Associates are appointed, from the Department’s Framework, to design and tender the project at the school in question. This is a collaborative process between the Project Manager, School Authority and the Department. The first step in the process was submission of a project viability report to the Department following consideration by the project manager and school authority. This report presented the preferred and most technically suitable location for the additional accommodation and highlighted that some of the school’s existing hard-core play area would be displaced. To compensate for this, additional funding was granted for the relocation of this hard-core area. The School Authority accepted the conditions associated with the report and signed a ‘Form of Acceptance’ which is an agreement between the School Authority and the Department to proceed with the works outlined.
The Department’s Professional and Technical Team together with the assigned Project Manager deem that it is technically feasible for drainage to be provided following completion of the modular accommodation which I understand is now on-site.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (512)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:512. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 177 of 26 October 2023, if a school (details supplied) is included in the NDFA campus plans; if the school's management have been engaged with; and if she can provide a timeline for delivery of new buildings for the school. [48116/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The project to which the Deputy refers, has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of bundled school building programmes. This project is part of the bundle referred to as ‘Project Liffey’.
This campus project will include the school referred to by the Deputy.
A letter was issued by the Department to the schools to advise that their respective school had been included in the programme and the NDFA has since been in contact with each school to introduce the team, communicate arrangements and discuss the project briefs. The NDFA are currently engaged in meetings to establish the tenders required to appoint a design team. The NDFA have been in contact with the schools in regards to this information and will continue to update the schools as this project progresses. At this early stage, it is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of the project; the NDFA will be engaging directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.
School Funding
Ceisteanna (513)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:513. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education when a school (details supplied) will receive funding for its ICT grants and ancillary services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48214/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department is committed to providing funding to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, general up-keep etc. and the Ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. Schools have the flexibility to use capitation funding provided for general running costs and ancillary funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities.
In addition to these grants, Minister Normal Foley TD has announced that €20 million in funding will be delivered during the mid-term break, to support all recognised primary and post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme. This funding is the first tranche of an overall additional €60 million funding announced as part of Budget 2024 measures designed to assist schools with increased day-to-day running costs such as heating and electricity. A further €40 million in funding will be delivered in 2024.
Following the acceptance by Forsa of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) agreement in respect of salaries and various leave entitlements for grant funded school secretaries, those secretaries that accepted the terms of this agreement have been placed on a payroll operated by this Department. Therefore, as schools will no longer be responsible for paying the salaries of these secretaries it is necessary to revise the ancillary grant funding. The priority to date has been to ensure secretaries could be set up on a Department payroll on the correct point on pay scale from September 2023. This represented a very significant body of work given the numbers involved.
Schools have received two thirds of the Ancillary Grant payable in 2023 and the Department is working to ensure the arrangements for the payment of remaining ancillary grant funding to schools are finalised so that funds due to schools can be paid as soon as possible.
The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published last year and is underpinned by an investment of €200m to support its implementation, committed to under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP). The first tranche of €50m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in late 2021.
The previous Digital Strategy for Schools 2015 to 2020 saw overall investment of €210m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in annual grant funding. This funding enabled schools to invest in appropriate digital infrastructure to enable the embedding of the use of digital technology in teaching, learning and assessment.
Funding of €50m secured as part of Ireland's National Recovery and Resilience Plan under the NextGenerationEU Recovery and Resilience Facility also issued to all recognised schools in the free education scheme to support learners at risk of educational disadvantage through the digital divide in late 2021.
My Department intends to issue the next tranche of ICT grant funding in the 2023 to 2024 school year. The specific timing for issue of the ICT grant is subject to the availability of Exchequer funding and the wider capital needs of the Department including the building programme to ensure the supply of school accommodation.
As part of the forthcoming Review of the National Development Plan, my Department’s aim is to provide better clarity and certainty for schools on the timelines for payment of minor works and ICT grant funding.
School Accommodation
Ceisteanna (514)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:514. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the progress made in providing a modular classroom for a special class in a school (details supplied); when it is likely to be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48273/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that approval under the Additional School Accommodation scheme issued to the school in question for the provision of a 1 x 100m2 SEN classroom. Although this project is devolved for delivery to the school authority, the Department arranged a project manager under its procurement framework to assist the school authority in the delivery of its building project. This is designed to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and help ease the administrative workload for school authorities in relation to the management and delivery of projects. The use of the Department’s Modular Accommodation Framework also assists in ensuring lead in periods for procurement of this modern method of construction are minimised to the greatest extent possible. To date, this has worked very well in the education sector and has seen delivery of large scale, high quality modular accommodation to meet the needs of children, particularly those with special educational needs. However, the wider context in relation to the overall modular market at present is challenging with modular accommodation suppliers being very busy across commercial, housing and other sectors. The Department is working closely with the Project Management teams and the modular accommodation suppliers to ensure additional capacity for the schools sector is delivered as quickly as possible. The Department has been assured by the relevant project manager for the school in question that regular communication with the school authority is ongoing. The current status of the project confirms that foundations are complete on site with the modular unit expected to be delivered to site during week commencing 6th November, November 2023. The School Authority has devolved responsibility for delivery of this project.
Scéimeanna Tacaíochta
Ceisteanna (515, 516, 517)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:515. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais an bhfuil i gceist aici an liúntas um múineadh trí Ghaeilge, a bhíodh á íoc le múinteoirí, le tabhairt ar ais de bharr na heaspa múinteoirí atá cáilithe chun múineadh trí Ghaeilge, agus d’fhonn spreagadh a thabhairt do thuilleadh múinteoirí a bheith cáilithe don obair seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [48278/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraÉamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:516. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais an bhfuil i gceist aici an liúntas Gaeltachta a bhíodh á íoc le múinteoirí a thabhairt a ais chun a aithint go bhfuil sé riachtanach go meallfar scoth na múinteoirí le múineadh i scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge sa Ghaeltacht; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [48279/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraÉamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:517. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais an bhfuil i gceist aici an liúntas teagaisc ar oileán a thabhairt ar ais de bharr an chostais maireachtála ard ar an hoileáin agus de bharr an ghá atá ann tuilleadh múinteoirí a mhealladh le cur isteach ar phoist ar oileáin; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [48280/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 515 to 517, inclusive, together.
De bharr cinneadh an Rialtais i 2012, chuir mo Roinn toradh an tAthbhreithniú um Sheirbhís Leathan ar na Liúntais agus ar na Préimh-Íocaíochtaí Poiblí a rinne an Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe a bhí ann ag an am i bhfeidhm. Ag teacht as seo ní íoctar liúntais áirithe, iad siúd atá á thagairt ag an Teachta in áireamh, le Múinteoirí “nua-cheapaithe” ó shin.
Leagann Ciorclán 0008/2013 éifeacht an t-athbhreithniú seo ar mhúinteoirí. Mar aon le roinnt liúntas post-bhunaithe eile, tarraingíodh cead an liúntas Gaeltachta a n-íoc le tairbhithe nua ó 1 Feabhra 2012 faoi théarmaí an Ciorclán seo. Ina theannta sin, más é gur fhág múinteoir a bhí i dteideal an liúntais seo roimh 1 Feabhra 2012 a phost ar bhonn deonach ar nó i ndiaidh an 1 Feabhra 2012, tagann deireadh lena dteidlíocht don liúntas ó dháta an aistrithe agus ní féidir leo ath-teidlíocht a fháil.
Ní féidir leasuithe breise ar Théarmaí agus Coinníollacha Múinteoirí, lena n-áirítear pá agus liúntais, a bhaint amach ach amháin trí chomhaontaiú rannpháirtíochta agus cómhargála idir an Rialtas agus ceardchumainn na seirbhíse poiblí. Le linn na gcomhaontuithe comhchoiteanna le déanaí, aontaíodh leasuithe lena n-áirítear go raibh coibhéis liúntas bunchéime onórach ag múinteoirí “nua-cheapaithe” mar chuid dá scála tuarastail.
Cruthaíodh aon leasuithe breise ar na liúntais a n-íoctar le múinteoirí, cibé acu is do “nua-cheapaithe” iad nó nach dóibh, saincheisteanna costais suntasacha agus ba chóir, mar a luadh, go mbeidh aon phlé ar seo mar chuid den rannpháirtíocht agus comhaontú comhchoiteanna idir na Ceardchumainn agus an Rialtas. Ní féidir aon athbhreithniú ar chritéir cháilitheachta ar liúntais cháilíochta a dhéanamh lasmuigh den phróiseas sin agus bheadh ??ar an Roinn aon tograí dá leithéid a scrúdú go mion dá mbeidh na ceardchumainn ábhartha ar iarraidh dul i ngníomh ar seo.
Question No. 516 answered with Question No. 515.
Question No. 517 answered with Question No. 515.
Scoileanna Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta
Ceisteanna (518)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:518. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais an bhfuil i gceist aici cabhair speisialta bhreise a chur ar fáil do scoláirí ón Úcráin atá ag freastal ar scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge taobh amuigh, agus taobh istigh, den Ghaeltacht lena chinntiú go sealbhóidh siad an Ghaeilge chomh maith leis an mBéarla agus nach mbeidh tionchar diúltach acu ar theanga na scoile; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [48281/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Tá ag éirí le scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge laistigh agus lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht fáilte a chur roimh scoláirí ón Úcráin agus iad a chlárú. In go leor cásanna, ní labhróidh na scoláirí ach Úcráinis agus/nó Rúisis agus seans go mbeidh tuiscint éigin acu ar an mBéarla. Beidh go leor de na dúshláin a thiocfaidh chun cinn nuair a bheidh fáilte á chur roimh dhaltaí dá leithéid agus iad á n-ionchuimsiú mar an gcéanna i scoileanna meán-Bhéarla agus i scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge.
Tá eolas maidir le stádas agus feidhmiú scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge agus scoileanna Gaeltachta curtha ar fáil do thuismitheoirí agus do dhaoine óga a thagann go hÉirinn ón Úcráin agus is féidir teacht air sin ar líne ag: www.gov.ie/ga/foilsiuchan/fostaiocht-curam-leanai-agus-oideachas/#oideachas.
Tá treoir eisithe ag mo Roinn do scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge agus do scoileanna Gaeltachta maidir le fáilte a chur roimh dhaltaí ón Úcráin. Leagtar béim sa treoir seo ar an tábhacht a bhaineann le riachtanais na scoláirí a chur i gcroílár fhreagairt na scoile. Tugtar sonraí ann chomh maith faoi acmhainní COGG atá ar fáil do scoileanna. Is féidir an treoir sin a fháil ar líne ag: www.gov.ie/ga/foilsiuchan/litir-chuig-scoileanna-faoi-mhic-leinn-san-ucrai/#treoir-do-scoileanna.
Tá scoileanna ina bhfuil scoláirí ón Úcráin cláraithe i dteideal uaireanta tacaíochta teanga breise chun tacú le forbairt scileanna teanga. Ba chóir don scoil na huaireanta seo a úsáid chun freastal ar riachtanais aonair na scoláirí seo.
Tá Foirne Réigiúnacha Oideachais agus Teanga (REALT) á n-óstáil ag na 16 bhord réigiúnacha oideachais agus oiliúna ar fud na hÉireann agus foireann tacaíochta oideachais réigiúnach mar fhoireann acu. Is é príomhról na bhfoirne REALT ná cabhrú le teaghlaigh áiteanna scoile a fháil. Bainfidh cinntí maidir le freastal ar scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge nó ar scoileanna meán-Bhéarla go príomha leis na tuismitheoirí agus leis na scoláirí iad féin, agus cúinsí áitiúla á gcur san áireamh acu.
Chun freastal ar na riachtanais Béarla mar Theanga Breise (EAL) atá ag teacht chun cinn i scoileanna, tá Oide, an tseirbhís tacaíochta do mhúinteoirí agus do cheannairí scoile atá maoinithe ag an Roinn, ag cur réimse tacaíochtaí ar fáil do scoileanna maidir le foghlaimeoirí EAL a chuimsiú ag an mbunleibhéal agus ag an iar-bhunleibhéal. Tá an seimineár gréasáin iar-bhunleibhéil ‘Tacú le foghlaimeoirí EAL’, atá beartaithe ag Oide, á chur in oiriúint acu faoi láthair chun don chomhthéacs lán-Ghaeilge.
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Translation
Irish-medium schools, within and outside of the Gaeltacht, are successfully welcoming and enrolling students from Ukraine. In many cases, the students will speak only Ukrainian and/or Russian and may have some understanding of English. Many of the challenges that arise in welcoming and including such students will be similar for English-medium and Irish-medium schools.
Information in relation to the status and operation of Irish-medium schools and Gaeltacht schools has been made available to parents and young people arriving to Ireland from Ukraine and can be accessed online at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/320e9-employment-and-education/#education
Guidance has been issued by my Department to Irish-medium and Gaeltacht schools on welcoming students from Ukraine. This guidance highlights the importance of placing student needs at the heart of the school’s response. It also gives details of COGG resources that are available to schools. The guidance can be found online at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/48639-information-for-schools-ukraine/#guidance-for-schools
Schools where Ukrainian students are enrolled are also entitled to additional language support hours to support the development of language skills. These hours should be used by the school to meet the individual needs of these students.
Regional Education and Language Teams (REALTs) are hosted by the 16 regional education and training boards around Ireland and staffed by regionally based education support personnel. The primary role of the REALTs is to assist families in securing school places. Decisions about attending Irish-medium or English-medium schools are primarily for the parents and the students themselves to make, while taking account of local circumstances.
To meet the emerging needs of EAL in schools, Oide, the Department-funded support service for teachers and school leaders, provides a number of supports to schools regarding inclusion of EAL learners at primary and post-primary level. Oide is currently adapting its planned post-primary webinar ‘Supporting EAL learners’, to the Irish medium context.
Scoileanna Oileáin
Ceisteanna (519)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:519. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais an bhfuil i gceist aici an líon múinteoirí breise atá ar fáil i meánscoileanna ar oileáin a mhéadú ó 1.5 múinteoir lánaimseartha (WTE) go 2 mhúinteoir lánaimseartha (WTE) mar atá geallta sa Pholasaí Oileánda, 2023-2033 a foilsíodh i mbliana; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [48282/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Tá roinnt beart déanta ag mo Roinn thar na blianta chun tacú le scoileanna oileánda agus leis na pobail ar a bhfreastalaíonn siad. Tá leithdháiltí breise múinteoirí agus maoiniú deontais imfhálaithe curtha ar fáil gach bliain do gach ceann de na cúig iar-bhunscoil oileánda ó 2018 i leith.
Tá tiomantas mo Roinne maidir le leanúint leis na tacaíochtaí seo a chur ar fáil san áireamh sa Phlean Gníomhaíochta do Bheartas na nOileán Náisiúnta. Faigheann iar-bhunscoileanna oileánda dhá phost breise, faoi láthair, san fhoirmle leithdháilte - 1.5 post faoin leithdháileadh “scoileanna oileánda” agus 0.5 post breise faoin leithdháileadh “scoilcheantar aonair”. Mar atá leagtha amach sa Phlean Gníomhaíochta, tá sé ar intinn agam cloí leis an leibhéal méadaithe tacaíochta seo do scoileanna oileánda.
Freagra (EN)
My Department has taken a number of measures over the years to support island schools and the communities that they serve. Additional teacher allocations and ring-fenced grant funding have been provided annually to each of the five island post-primary schools since 2018.
My Department’s commitment to continuing to provide these supports has been included in the Action Plan for the National Islands Policy. Post-primary island schools currently receive two additional posts in the allocations formula - 1.5 posts under the “island schools” allocation and an additional 0.5 of a post under the “single catchment area” allocation. As outlined in the Action Plan, it is my intention to maintain this increased level of support for island schools.
Scoileanna Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta
Ceisteanna (520)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:520. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais an bhfuil i gceist aici an deontas Gaeilge agus dátheangachais a íoctar le meánscoileanna lán-Ghaeilge a leathnú amach do scoileanna ETB atá ag múineadh trí Ghaeilge; an fáth nach raibh an deontas sin ar fáil go dtí seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [48283/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Tá múnlaí éagsúla maoinithe ag mo Roinn chun freastal ar riachtanais na gcineálacha éagsúla iar-bhunscoile. San earnáil BOO (ETB), déantar leithdháiltí airgeadais ar BOOanna mar chuid de bhlocdheontas. Tugtar ardleibhéal neamhspleáchais do na BOOanna maidir le bainistiú agus leithreasú an deontais seo agus ceadaítear do gach BOO a leithdháiltí a dháileadh de réir a thosaíochtaí agus a riachtanais féin. Tá difríocht idir seo agus na deontais chaipitíochta a chuirtear ar fáil do mheánscoileanna deonacha.
Tá obair ar fhorbairt Polasaí nua don Oideachas lán-Ghaeilge lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht ar siúl anois i mo Roinnse.
Reáchtáladh próiseas leathan comhairliúcháin phoiblí chun tuairimí na bpáirtithe leasmhara a bhailiú, lena n-áirítear daoine óga, tuismitheoirí, gairmithe oideachais, páirtithe leasmhara oideachais agus eagraíochtaí Gaeilge. Breathnófar ar na saincheisteanna a ardaíodh sa chomhairliúchán sin mar chuid den obair ar fhorbairt an Pholasaí don Ghaeloideachas lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht.
Freagra (EN)
My Department has different models of funding to meet the needs of the different types of post-primary school. In the ETB sector, financial allocations are made to ETBs as part of a block grant. ETBs are given a high level of autonomy in the management and appropriation of this grant and each is allowed to distribute its allocations in line with its own priorities and needs. This differs from the capitation grants provided to voluntary secondary schools.
Work on the development of a new policy on Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht is now underway in my Department.
An extensive public consultation process has been conducted to gather the views of stakeholders, including young people, parents, education professionals, education stakeholders and Irish-language organisations. The issues raised in that consultation will be considered as part of the work on the development of the Policy on Irish-medium Education outside of the Gaeltacht.
Clár Tógála Scoileanna
Ceisteanna (521)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:521. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais an bhfuil iarratas curtha isteach ag scoil (sonraí tugtha) ar dheontas airgid le seomra aclaíochta/ilúsáide a thógáil; cad é stádas an iarratais; cén uair a dhéanfar cinneadh air; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [48284/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Deimhním don Teachta nach bhfuil iarratas faighte ag mo Roinnse ó Ghairmscoil Mhic Dhiarmada, Uimh. Rolla 71244F, i ndáil le seomra aclaíochta/ilchuspóra.
Cheadaigh mo Roinnse cóiríocht bhreise sa scoil le deireanas d’fhonn 1 sheomra gnáthranga amháin, 1 Sheomra Ealaíne amháin agus leithris a chur ar fáil faoin Scéim maidir le Cóiríocht Bhreise.
Is gné den chaiteachas agus den infheistíocht fhoriomlán faoin gClár Tógála Scoileanna iad an infheistíocht agus caiteachas ar Hallaí Corpoideachais. Baineann seomraí Ilchuspóirí agus Hallaí Corpoideachais a chur ar fáil, ar leibhéal na mbunscoileanna agus ar leibhéal na scoileanna iarbhunscolaíochta faoi seach, chomh maith le réimsí spraoi dromchla crua faoin aer, leis an mionteagasc tógála i ndáil le gach foirgneamh nua scoile nó le haon chás ina mbíonn togra mór tógála nó athchóiriúcháin á chur i gcrích maidir le scoil atá ar fáil cheana féin.
Luann beagnach 80% de na scoileanna iarbhunscolaíochta a chuir an Tuairisceán Scoile Bliantúil 2020 faoi bhráid na Roinne go bhfuil Halla Corpoideachais acu. Luann 10% eile sa bhreis air sin go mbíonn deis acu ar Halla Corpoideachais gar don láthair agus tá 5% eile sa bhreis ar an méid sin atá ag tabhairt faoi thograí a gcuirfear Halla Corpoideachais nua ar fáil dá dtoradh. Tá spás spraoi faoin aer ag nach mór gach scoil agus bíonn úsáid á baint ag cuid mhór scoileanna as áiseanna áitiúla in aice láimhe, ina measc hallaí pobail, páirceanna poiblí, páirceanna imeartha agus linnte snámha.
Tá an phríomhbhéim maidir le hacmhainní mo Roinnse le deich mbliana anuas agus go ceann na tréimhse seo romhainn ar sholáthar a dhéanamh do bhreis cóiríochta ar mhaithe le freastal don ardú maidir le gnéithe déimeagrafaíochta go háirithe ar leibhéal na hiarbhunscolaíochta, agus ar sholáthar a dhéanamh do riachtanais na leanaí le riachtanais speisialta oideachais. Tuigfidh an Teachta gurb í an tosaíocht phráinneach atá ag mo Roinnse ná soláthar a dhéanamh d’ionaid nua scoile agus d’athionaid scoile gach bliain, ionas go gcinntítear go mbíonn ionad scoile ag gach leanbh, na mílte leanaí san áireamh atá tar éis a theacht chun na tíre seo le tamall anuas. D’éirigh le mo Roinnse fónamh agus áis a dhéanamh do líon is mó ná 14,000 leanbh as an Úcráin a chlárú ar rollaí bunscoile agus scoileanna iarbhunscolaíochta.
Faoi Thionscadal Éireann 2040, beidh infheistíocht chaipitil isteach is amach le €4.4 billiún á déanamh in earnáil an oideachais i rith na mblianta 2021-2025. Beidh comhad athleantach cistíochta 5 bliana i gceist maidir le tréimhse na mblianta 2026-2030 a ndéanfar a thabhairt bord ar bhord leis an aimsir gach bliain i leith na tréimhse i ndáil le comhad cistíochta foriomlán an Rialtais i leith an PFN dar luach €136 billiún de chaipiteal an státchiste (€165 billiún de chaipiteal iomlán ar chistí nach ón Státchiste a thabhairt san áireamh) agus soirbheoidh sin do bhonneagar inbhuanaithe scoileanna nua-aimseartha a thógáil.
Ligeann an infheistíocht shuntasach sin dúinn dul chun cinn a dhéanamh maidir leis na pleananna ardaidhmeannacha agus tograí tógála ar ardchaighdeán a chur i gcrích, le béim faoi leith ar inbhuanaitheacht, do phobal scoileanna ar fud na hÉireann. Beidh duail éagsúla ag rith leis an mbéim neartaithe ar athchóiriú a dhéanamh ar an stoc scoileanna atá ar fáil cheana féin agus beidh clár tógála agus athchóirithe maidir le háiseanna Corpoideachais mar chuid de sin faoina dtabharfar gur féidir le daltaí i scoileanna iarbhunoideachais teacht a bheith acu ar áiseanna cuí chun fónamh don soláthar maidir le Corpoideachas, go háirithe i gcomhthéacs an Corpoideachas a thabhairt isteach mar ábhar Ardteistiméireachta ann féin. Cuirfear saoráidí tábhachtacha taitneamhachta ar fáil do phobal an cheantair freisin le háiseanna forfheabhsaithe nua-aimseartha Corpoideachais.
Beidh mo Roinnse ag leanúint den obair ar mhaithe lena chinntiú go mbíonn an infheistíocht chaipitil sna scoileanna dírithe ar an mbealach is éifeachtaí agus is críochnúla ina bhfóntar do shásamh riachtanais oideachais na ndaltaí agus an phobail.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (522)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:522. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if her Department is involved in implementing any of the recommendations identified in the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism Final Report; the measures that have been implemented to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48316/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The recommendations in the report relate to work under a number of Government Departments and state agencies. The recommendations relating to education are wide ranging and, as such, a response from a broad range of sections in the Department will be required. My Department continues to review the report recommendations. I know that a number of advocacy groups are also interested in relation to the response across Departments to the report.
As the Deputy may be aware , development of a new national strategy on autism, the Autism Innovation Strategy, is currently at an advanced stage. This work is being led by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY).
Drafting of the strategy is being finalised at present. This follows several months of engagements right across Government to agree a suite of clear, simple actions that can address gaps in existing supports and services for Autistic people within an 18 month timeframe. This process has included careful consideration of the recommendations contained in the final report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism and the findings of a public consultation held in 2022.
Once drafting of the strategy is complete, there will be a further public consultation prior to the formal adoption of the Autism Innovation Strategy. It intended that implementation of the strategy will begin in early 2024 and that is the clear focus of work at present.
The Autism Innovation Strategy will identify ways to address the bespoke challenges and barriers faced by Autistic people and provide the building blocks for a more autism-inclusive society. It will be cross-Government in nature and will take a holistic approach towards addressing these challenges in a way that complements and aligns with wider action on disability. While DCEDIY is coordinating development of the strategy, delivery of actions will be the responsibility of relevant departments and agencies in line with their areas of responsibility.
My Department and the NCSE remain 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.
School Funding
Ceisteanna (523)
Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:523. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education when the rates for the capitation grant and the ancillary service grant were last increased. [48331/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is committed to providing funding to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, general up-keep etc. and the Ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. Schools have the flexibility to use capitation funding provided for general running costs and ancillary funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities.
In addition to these grants, €20 million in funding will be delivered during the mid-term break, to support all recognised primary and post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme. This funding is the first tranche of an overall additional €60 million funding announced as part of Budget 2024 measures designed to assist schools with increased day-to-day running costs such as heating and electricity. A further €40 million in funding will be delivered in 2024.
I understand the need for increased capitation funding and I am pleased that I have been able to provide for significant increases in capitation funding for primary and post-primary schools in Budget 2024 which includes also a permanent restoration of capitation funding as well as an increase for cost of living pressures.
This year’s Budget will provide targeted funding for school communities with an increase in capitation of over €81 million.
The current standard rate of Capitation grant is €183 per pupil at Primary level and at post primary the standard rate is €316 per student for voluntary secondary schools. The standard capitation rates are different for Community and Comprehensive schools as well as those in the ETB sector as these schools are funded via non-pay budget grants from the Department.
As part of the capitation package in Budget 2024 I am pleased to have secured €21 million as a permanent increase in capitation funding to assist schools now and longer term with increased day-to-day running costs. This will support a permanent restoration of funding for all primary and post-primary schools from September 2024. This will bring the basic rate of capitation grant to the pre-2011 level of €200 per student in primary schools and to €345 in voluntary secondary schools. Enhanced rates will also be paid in respect of pupils with Special Educational Needs. This represents an increase of circa 9.2% of current standard and enhanced capitation rates.
Schools also receive an Ancillary Services Grant. The standard rate is €173 per pupil in Primary schools and €224.50 per student in Post-Primary schools.
Primary schools with less than 60 pupils are paid the Capitation and the Ancillary grants on the basis of having 60 pupils. At post-primary level, schools with less than 200 students receive ancillary related grants on the basis of having 200 students.
Following the acceptance by Forsa of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) agreement in respect of salaries and various leave entitlements for grant funded school secretaries, those secretaries that accepted the terms of this agreement have been placed on a payroll operated by this Department. Therefore, as schools will no longer be responsible for paying the salaries of these secretaries it is necessary to revise the ancillary grant funding. The priority to date has been to ensure secretaries could be set up on a Department payroll on the correct point on pay scale from September 2023. This represented a very significant body of work given the numbers involved.
Schools have received 2/3rds of the Ancillary Grant payable in 2023 and the Department is working to ensure the arrangements for the payment of remaining ancillary grant funding to schools are finalised so that funds due to schools can be paid as soon as possible.
School Funding
Ceisteanna (524)
Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:524. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the amount of capital funding her Department provided to a school (details supplied) in the years of 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [48332/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Through Project Ireland 2040, we are investing at least €5 billion over the period 2021 to 2025, to add capacity and develop and upgrade school facilities across the country for almost one million students and over 100,000 staff that learn and work in our schools every day.
The School referred to by the Deputy received capital investment of over €68,000 in 2021.
My Department has a proven track record of delivery. The key drivers of capital investment in the schools sector are as follows:
•demographic change, including keeping pace with delivery of SEN and accommodation for Ukrainian pupils particularly at Post Primary level,
•alignment with housing provision and national planning at school planning area level,
•climate action objectives including deep energy retrofit.
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.
School Enrolments
Ceisteanna (525)
Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:525. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the provision of a multi-denominational school in the Killester, Raheny and Clontarf school catchment area given the high demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48395/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
New schools are established by my Department on the basis of identified demographic demand in an area, and only after consideration of the capacity of existing schools to absorb the expected school place demand.
In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
Major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter demand in that area. In that regard, as part of the demographic exercises, my Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain the up-to-date information on significant new residential development in each area. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes. The most recent demographic analysis for that area indicates that enrolments at primary level have peaked and are set to decrease slightly in the short to medium term.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, be provided through:
• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
• Provision of a new school or schools.
A patronage process is run after it has been decided, based on demographic analysis, that a new school is required. The New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG) is an external independent advisory group which was set up in 2011 to advise the Minister on the patronage of new schools. The patronage process is open to all patron bodies and prospective patrons.
An Online Patronage Process System (OPPS) provides objective information to parents in the relevant school planning areas to assist them in making an informed choice about their preferred model of patronage and language of instruction for the new school. A prospective patron can choose the school(s) it wishes to apply for and complete an application form in that regard for each school, for submission to my Department. The Department provides details on the OPPS of the school(s) and the list of applicant patrons which have applied for patronage of the school(s). Parents access the OPPS website, which allows them to access the appropriate survey for their area, to input the details of the eligible child(ren) and to select their preferred patron and language of instruction (where applicable). Parental preferences from parents of children who reside in the school planning areas concerned, together with the extent of diversity currently available in these areas, are key to decisions in relation to the outcome of the process.
Following their consideration of my Department’s assessment reports, the NSEG submits a report with recommendations to me for consideration and final decision. The assessment reports and the NSEG recommendations for all such patronage processes are made available on my Department's website.
The requirement for additional school places is kept under on-going review. Additionally, my Department will continue to liaise with Dublin City Council in respect of its review of the Dublin City Development Plan with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements.
School Accommodation
Ceisteanna (526)
Alan Dillon
Ceist:526. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on progress under the additional accommodation scheme for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48409/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school in question.
The purpose of the Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
Officials from my Department have corresponded with the school authority and remain available to answer any questions the school may have in this regard. On receipt of their response the application will be progressed and a decision will issue to the school authority directly.
School Funding
Ceisteanna (527)
Niall Collins
Ceist:527. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education if schools are getting the ICT (digital) grant this year, noting that there was great disappointment that the grant was not given in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48410/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published last year and is underpinned by an investment of €200m to support its implementation, committed to under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP). The first tranche of €50m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in late 2021.
The previous Digital Strategy for Schools 2015 to 2020 saw overall investment of €210m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in annual grant funding. This funding enabled schools to invest in appropriate digital infrastructure to enable the embedding of the use of digital technology in teaching, learning and assessment.
Funding of €50m secured as part of Ireland's National Recovery and Resilience Plan under the NextGenerationEU Recovery and Resilience Facility also issued to all recognised schools in the free education scheme to support learners at risk of educational disadvantage through the digital divide in late 2021.
My Department intends to issue the next tranche of ICT grant funding in the 2023 to 2024 school year. The specific timing for issue of the ICT grant is subject to the availability of Exchequer funding and the wider capital needs of the Department including the building programme to ensure the supply of school accommodation.
As part of the forthcoming Review of the National Development Plan, my Department’s aim is to provide better clarity and certainty for schools on the timelines for payment of minor works and ICT grant funding.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (528)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:528. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education for an update on the funding approval for a school (details supplied) for the building of additional education needs classrooms, considering the design for the project is now complete and the design team is requesting fees for same from the school before the drawings are submitted to her Department; if the school has to pay these fees upfront and seek retrospective funding for same from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48415/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The school to which the Deputy refers, was approved a project under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA) for the provision of 2 SEN base classrooms.
The project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority and a Stage 1 design submission has yet to be submitted to the Department for review.
As per Department protocol, a Stage 1 report must be submitted, reviewed and approved by Department officials, prior to design team fees being approved for payment.
My Department will continue to liaise with the school authority in order to progress this project to the next stage.
Question No. 529 answered with Question No. 474.
School Admissions
Ceisteanna (530)
Anne Rabbitte
Ceist:530. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education the options available to a parent regarding a school admissions application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48423/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in that area.
Under the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, all schools are required to have drafted new admissions policies, which have been approved by the patron, following consultation with staff and parents of children who are attending the school. It is a key requirement of the act that all school admission policies are fair and transparent.
Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process will be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
The act requires schools to clearly set out their selection criteria in their admission policies. Schools have discretion in relation to their admission criteria and how they are applied. The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for the schools themselves. My Department does not seek to intervene in the selection criterion that is applied by schools.
Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) is the agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. TESS can be contacted at 01-7718500 (tessinfo@tusla.ie) for assistance. More information on school attendance is available on their website on the following link: www.tusla.ie/tess/tess-ews/.
The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) have created downloadable, user-friendly materials and advice for parents and students to support their wellbeing in school. We would like to direct you to some of these resources which you might find helpful to support your daughter at this time.
Information for parents:
• How to Calm and Support your Child: Advice for Parents and Guardians
• Managing Stress and Anxiety: A Guide for Parents and Guardians
• Reluctant Attenders Information for Parents and Guardians
These resources are available to view here
Information for students:
Managing Thoughts and Feelings – A Guide for Students
• Dealing with Anxiety
• Dealing with Fear Coping Strategies
• Managing Panic
These resources are available to view here
While schools have an important role in supporting young people, the provision of child and adolescent mental health services lies within the remit of the Department of Health, and the HSE specifically.