Noel Grealish
Ceist:192. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education if she will increase the upper age limit for school bus drivers from 70 to 75 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7117/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport
Ceisteanna (192)
Freagraí scríofa
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
While over 90% of school transport services are contracted locally, Bus Éireann apply stringent assessments of each individual driver on over 7,000 school routes. This includes vetting and background checks.
It is Bus Éireann company policy that normal retirement age for all Bus Éireann staff is currently 66 years. However, Bus Éireann part-time school bus drivers and drivers nominated by private operators who operate service as part of the School Transport Scheme may continue to perform in the role provided they hold the requisite license and satisfy an annual medical examination until they retire at age 70. This policy and criteria is applied to all drivers who provide school transport services on behalf of Bus Éireann equally.
The age limit on school bus drivers was increased to 70 years a number of years ago. While Bus Éireann have informed the Department there is no plan to increase the age limit further at this time, the matter will continue to be kept under review.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (193)
Noel Grealish
Ceist:193. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education the current status of a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7118/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school in question. The purpose of the 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 or by other schools in the area.
The consideration of the accommodation requirements for the school in question forms part of the Planning and Building Unit’s overall assessment of its work programme and priorities in the context of available capital funding.
The provision of required school places, including for children with special educational needs, is a priority for my Department. My officials are working to ensure that there is sufficient provision to meet the school place needs in the school in question and the wider area for 2024/25 and future years.
In the context of making the most effective use of our capital allocation, and mindful of climate action goals, we are working to make sure that all school accommodation capacity is being maximised. We are looking at how each individual school's accommodation can be best utilised and at capacity across schools in each school planning area.
This application is currently being reviewed by my Department's Professional and Technical Section. When a final decision has been reached it will be communicated by my Department to the school authorities directly.
Renewable Energy Generation
Ceisteanna (194)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:194. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education the date on which the first phase of the solar for schools programme will be complete; her plans in respect of the next phase; if there is a schedule for the remaining counties' eligibility to apply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7155/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Minister Norma Foley and Minister of State Ossian Smyth launched the first phase of the Schools PV Programme in November 2023.
The programme will provide eligible schools with 6 kilowatts of roof-mounted solar PV, which equates to approximately 16 solar panels and includes connection to the grid and a monitoring system and display screen.
The Schools PV Programme is a devolved programme based on programme guidance prepared by the Department of Education and is funded from the Climate Action Fund.
The scheme will assist schools in reducing their energy costs and their carbon footprint as part of the response to meeting the 2030 and 2050 Climate Action Plan targets for the schools sector.
The scheme will be rolled out on a phased basis, commencing with a call for applications to over 1,600 schools from 11 designated areas across the country.
Schools in the following areas have been invited to participate in the first phase: Co. Clare, Co. Donegal, Dublin City Council area, Co. Galway, Co. Kerry, Co. Kilkenny, Co. Leitrim, Co. Limerick, Co. Offaly, Co. Waterford and Co. Wicklow.
The data gathered during the first phase will allow for any improvements in the design of the scheme to be implemented in the second and third phases.
A phased delivery approach will also assist in the operational management of the programme, noting that this is just one aspect of our large and complex school building programme.
The phasing of the programme will ensure adequate installation resources are available throughout all phases of the programme.
Counties in the first phase were selected to obtain a balance of rural, urban, island, Gaeltacht schools in all regions of the country, as well as targeting counties that have not benefitted from other recent Department of Education initiatives.
The intention is to include a further eight counties in phase two in Q2 2024 and the remaining eight counties in Q4 2024. It is intended that all eligible schools across the country will have the opportunity to apply to the scheme by 2024.
The first phase of the programme is currently ongoing with the current target date of 30th May 2024 for completion of phase 1 PV installations.
It has not yet been decided which counties will be included in the subsequent phases however it is intended that all eligible schools across the country will have the opportunity to apply to the scheme by end 2024.
Renewable Energy Generation
Ceisteanna (195)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:195. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education when schools in Tipperary will be eligible to apply for the solar schools programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7156/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Minister Norma Foley and Minister of State Ossian Smyth launched the first phase of the Schools PV Programme in November 2023.
The programme will provide eligible schools with 6 kilowatts of roof-mounted solar PV, which equates to approximately 16 solar panels and includes connection to the grid and a monitoring system and display screen.
The Schools PV Programme is a devolved programme based on programme guidance prepared by the Department of Education and is funded from the Climate Action Fund.
The scheme will assist schools in reducing their energy costs and their carbon footprint as part of the response to meeting the 2030 and 2050 Climate Action Plan targets for the schools sector.
The scheme will be rolled out on a phased basis, commencing with a call for applications to over 1,600 schools from 11 designated areas across the country.
Schools in the following areas have been invited to participate in the first phase: Co. Clare, Co. Donegal, Dublin City Council area, Co. Galway, Co. Kerry, Co. Kilkenny, Co. Leitrim, Co. Limerick, Co. Offaly, Co. Waterford and Co. Wicklow.
The data gathered during the first phase will allow for any improvements in the design of the scheme to be implemented in the second and third phases.
A phased delivery approach will also assist in the operational management of the programme, noting that this is just one aspect of our large and complex school building programme.
The phasing of the programme will ensure adequate installation resources are available throughout all phases of the programme.
Counties in the first phase were selected to obtain a balance of rural, urban, island, Gaeltacht schools in all regions of the country, as well as targeting counties that have not benefitted from other recent Department of Education initiatives.
The intention is to include a further eight counties in phase two in Q2 2024 and the remaining eight counties in Q4 2024. It is intended that all eligible schools across the country will have the opportunity to apply to the scheme by 2024.
The first phase of the programme is currently ongoing with the current target date of 30th May 2024 for completion of phase 1 PV installations.
It has not yet been decided which counties will be included in the subsequent phases however it is intended that all eligible schools across the country will have the opportunity to apply to the scheme by end 2024.
School Curriculum
Ceisteanna (196, 197)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:196. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education the guidance available to schools on protocols in relation to opting out of religious education in schools, and how the school should operate these protocols (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7157/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraRóisín Shortall
Ceist:197. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of school admission policies that do not clearly outline detailed arrangements for students who wish to opt out of religious education; if an admission policy that suggests a meeting with the principal to discuss this matter instead of clearly defined arrangements is contrary to the Education (Admissions to Schools) Act 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7158/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 197 together.
Under the Constitution, the provisions of article 44 recognise the rights of children to attend school without attending religious instruction at that school. Furthermore the provisions of Section 30(2) (e) of the Education Act 1998 provide that a school shall not require a student to attend instruction in any subject which is contrary to the conscience of the parent / guardian of the student or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student. It is expected that this right will be upheld by schools on foot of a parental request.
The provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 requires, where schools provide religious instruction, they must clearly set out in their admission policies the school’s arrangements for students, where the parent or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student, has requested that the student attend the school without attending religious instruction in the school.
The manner in which any school ensures that the right to not attend religion instruction classes is upheld, is a matter for the school concerned. Each individual school must determine the particular arrangements which are most appropriate in its individual circumstances having regard to local issues such as available space, supervision requirements and how the school concerned organises classes etc. The Department is currently working with education partners to assist schools to strengthen their approach in providing for diverse enrolments in a changing society.
The State is involved in ongoing discussions with the education partners to assist schools to strengthen their approach in this area.
Question No. 197 answered with Question No. 196.
School Admissions
Ceisteanna (198)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:198. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education how the Education (Admissions to schools) Act 2018 is enforced, including the processes involved and the number of times it has been enforced in the previous three years; if no such enforcement proceedings have happened to date, if she has plans to begin enforcing the requirements of the 2018 Act; if so, the timeline; the process for reporting non-compliance with the 2018 Act; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7159/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In accordance with the Education Act 1998, schools are managed by Boards of Management on behalf of the relevant school patrons. Under the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, all schools have admissions policies, which have been approved by the patron, following consultation with staff and parents of children who are attending the school. All schools must publish their admissions policy on the schools website.
The act provides an opportunity for parents with children attending the school to contribute to the development of the admission policy before it is approved by the Patron. This ensures that the important voice of the parent is included in the finalised policy. It is a key requirement of the act that all school admission policies are fair and transparent.
In the event that the Department becomes aware of a school with an admissions policy that contravenes the provisions of the act, the Department will contact the school so that the necessary arrangements are taken by the school to be compliant with the Act. Templates were also provided by the Department for all schools to ensure consistency and compliance with the act.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (199)
Colm Burke
Ceist:199. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education when it will be possible for a school (details supplied) to make a decision to go ahead with a tender for a school extension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7163/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The project to which the Deputy refers includes an extension to the existing school buildings. The project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority and it has appointed a design team to progress the project.
The tender report has been received by my Department and is currently under review from both a technical and cost perspective. The review is nearing completion and my Department will revert to the school authority directly on the outcome and the next steps to progress this project.
My Department will continue to engage with the school authority to provide any assistance needed to progress this important project.
School Accommodation
Ceisteanna (200)
Niall Collins
Ceist:200. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education if her Department will liaise directly with a school (details supplied) as soon as possible regarding a matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7179/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to advise that my Department has no current record of receiving an application for additional accommodation from the school in question.
The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and Special Education Needs (SEN) accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
At primary level, this situation generally arises to cater for a school’s accommodation requirements where an additional teaching post has been sanctioned by Teacher Allocation Section, or a new SEN class has been sanctioned by the NCSE, and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes.
It is open to the school authority to make an application for additional accommodation through the 'Additional School Accommodation scheme (ASA)' which is available at www.education.ie.
In an effort to assist the school, officials in the Department have been in contact with the school directly and will continue to liaise with the school in this regard.